Get data specific to your state

Local grants, county subsidy payments, nearby auctions, and state deadlines — delivered daily.

Action Deadlines

Agriculture News

Stop selling your cows in a drought—here's the smarter play

Farm Progress

Panic-selling cattle during drought may cost you thousands—hold and use a buy/sell strategy instead. Beef prices hitting record highs on strong quality and demand, but cotton producers still squeezed by high inputs and weak prices. Check your livestock timing and cotton position before spring spending hits.

Auctions

Four major livestock auctions run same day April 6th across VA, OK, IA, and MO—Appalachian Regional, OKC West, Russell, and Springfield. Check your hauling costs and timing if you're buying or selling feeder cattle or breeding stock; running multiple sales the same morning may thin out competition or spike prices depending on your region.

Market Prices

Livestock as of 04/03/2026 (USDA daily)

Grants & Funding

Veterinary Services Grant Program closes Apr 16, 2026—may help fund vets in rural areas, which could ease access and lower your herd health costs. Worth asking your vet or county extension if you're in an underserved area.

Recent USDA Awards

Lincoln County grabbed $191M for watershed work—largest payout here. Boll weevil eradication in Texas pulling $8M, wildfire defense grants at $8.7M. If you're near erosion problems or pest zones, check if your county or co-op qualified; money's moving now.

Subsidy Payments

$16.2 billion in farm subsidies flowed last year, with top counties in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota capturing the bulk. A mid-size operation may be leaving money on the table if you haven't cross-checked your county's distribution against your own payments—margins matter.

Drought Status

Severe drought now covers 23% of the continental U.S., up 4 points this week. If your county hits moderate drought or worse, you may qualify for USDA assistance programs like LFP or emergency loans—check your local FSA office and your crop insurance adjuster before filing claims, eligibility windows can close fast.

Know a farmer who needs this?

Forward this email — it's free for everyone.