Each year, the average age of the American farmer gets older, with fewer young folks entering the profession.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall has some advice for those considering a career in rural America.
“My advice would be to go find a really good mentor, show him how dedicated you are to this industry and to his farm and ranch, and see if you can create a future for you there on a farm that might be available to you someday. And, of course, we all either started with our family or we started small, and people got to start small and build themselves up. And two, you have to make sure that you’re a business person to really make sure that you equip your farm for the bad times, because they’re going to come.”
Numbers out this month show getting a new, younger workforce onto U.S. farms is a big priority.
In their quarterly report, CoBank says that the workforce shortage is set to be a long-term problem for the U.S. economy. They place blame on an aging population and falling birth rates.
The group warns that the U.S. is poised to enter a long period of retiring workers who will outpace new workers, and they say it could be a permanent shift.
The average age of the current farmer is just under 60 years old. Economists say that these challenges will only add to issues facing agriculture, such as rising costs and lower prices.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.
November 24, 2025 12:38 PM
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According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
November 24, 2025 11:47 AM
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These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
November 24, 2025 10:09 AM
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Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
November 21, 2025 07:02 PM
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The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.
November 21, 2025 02:13 PM
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Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
November 21, 2025 02:09 PM
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