August 21, 2026: Biopesticides on the Rise, New Disease ID Tool, Plus Livestock News

Agriculture news this week spans the livestock, crop and farm equipment sectors, including the end of the Cargill beef plant strike in Colorado and a Tyson Foods beef packing plant closure in Illinois. We also look at Midwest crop conditions and harvest prospects, new tools for growers, the rise of biopesticides, trade news and harvest safety. This week’s top headlines include what a tour across the Midwest is finding when it comes to crop conditions and yield potential, along with a report projecting the global pesticides market could nearly double by 2030. National news also covers continued declines in farm equipment sales, Canada avoiding a proposed 50% tariff and what farm safety means during the National Grain and Feed Association’s Harvest Safety Week. Livestock coverage includes an analysis of what recent beef plant closures and potential closures could mean for U.S. agriculture. This week’s interview is with farmer, software developer and social media creator Grant Hilbert. Without an agriculture background, Hilbert first became interested in farming by playing farming simulation games as a kid and later streaming his gameplay on YouTube, where he built a following. That interest eventually led him into agriculture, and today he farms some of his own fields with his brother while sharing the experience across social media. Now, he has developed his own farming game, with the second version of American Farming launching in just a few days this August. He talks about his goals, his journey into agriculture and his love for the farming lifestyle. Stay connected with us for daily agriculture content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with our weekly videos!