**Broadcasters--Please do not air this report after 11 am EDT Friday, August 11th** USDA is about to issue a major round of crop forecasts. Gary Crawford has more. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski.

A several decades long partnership between USDA and a land grant university was on display recently with the groundbreaking ceremony of a new plant research facility. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack

USDA’s annual look at both agricultural land values and cash rents reveals more year-over-year growth in those sectors. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Shawn Arita of the Office of the Chief Economist

Month over month changes in drought coverage in crop growing area were significant dependent upon region and crop. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

Many of the top U.S. pilots are not employed by the military or the major airlines. They're employed by farmers. Gary Crawford has more. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Jim Perrin, agricultural aviator from Bancroft, Wisconsin and President of the National Agricultural Aviation Association

Singapore and Malaysia are two nations of focus for an upcoming USDA-led agricultural trade mission. Both countries have significant potential as growing markets for U.S. food and farm goods. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs...

If you are a farmer or farm worker, an expert has some advice to help get you through severe heat conditions. Gary Crawford has more. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Ohio State University health and safety educator, Dee Jepsen. USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey.

Research is underway on genetic selection of chicken to produce traits that lead to poultry with greater water use efficiency. Rod Bain reports. PARTICPANTS: Rod Bain and Sara Orlowski of University of Arkansas Extension

Farm based big data systems and tools have come a long way since they first appeared in the form of yield monitors on harvesters. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Kendall Kirk of Clemson University

Efforts continue to improve the ability to gather and distribute big data in agriculture. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Sumer Johal of the AgStack Foundation