Alabama Department of Agriculture

Alabama Department of Agriculture Encourages Meat Processor To Take Advantage of Funding Opportunity

The Alabama Department of Agriculture is encouraging meat processors that are eligible to apply for a new funding opportunity through the USDA Rural Development Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program – Phase 4. According to the Department, “The program provides $60 million in grant funding to support beef-focused processing facilities and strengthen local and regional supply chains. Funding is intended …

Alabama Cattlemen’s

Alabama Cattlemen’s Region Meetings Begin This Week

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Region Meetings begin this week and we caught up with Erin Beasley, Executive Vice President of the ACA to learn more. “Well looking forward to rolling out another summer of regional meetings for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. We get started this Friday on June the 12th. Gonna begin in North Alabama this year at the Priceville Event Center. That …

Timeliness Key to Georgia Cotton Production Success

By Clint Thompson Cotton season is well underway across Georgia. The Georgia Cotton Commission and Camp Hand, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist, encourage growers to be timely with their management tactics. That could range anywhere from fertilizer applications to weed suppression. “I’d say everything that you do needs to be timely. It helps with everything to be timely. …

Disaster Relief

USDA Announces Modernization of Loan Systems

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the modernization of their loan and grant systems that support farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Sam Berry, USDA Chief Information officer said, “At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we are leveraging innovative technology to deliver faster, more secure services in alignment with the Secretary’s vision for a modern and customer-focused USDA. In 2026, …

agriculture leaders

Agriculture Leaders Release Statements on NWS

After the recent discovery of New World Screwworm in Texas last week, several agriculture leaders have released statements sharing how they are taking action to combat this livestock industry threat. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said “We have been working in close coordination with federal, state and industry partners to prepare for the New world screwworm’s arrival in the …

Conservation Innovation Grants

USDA Announces Funding Now Available For Conservation Innovation Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that funding is now available for Conservation Innovation Grants. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, Colton Buckley, provides the details on these grants. “We have announced $65 million for this fiscal year, broken up $50 million for on-farm trials for that conservation implementation, and $15 million for CIG Classic,” said Buckley. “CIG on-farm trial …

New World Screwworm

USDA Takes Action Against New World Screwworm

A confirmed detection of New World Screwworm was found recently in Zavala County, Texas. In a post on X, Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, said “The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Animal Health officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the area.” Secretary Rollins also spoke on the measures currently being implemented to exterminate NWS, …

budget

Commissioner Simpson Highlights Wins in the Florida Legislatures Budget

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, emphasized major wins in the Florida Legislature’s 2026/2027 budget. Commissioner Simpson said, ““This year’s budget reflects a historic commitment by Senate President Albritton, House Speaker Perez, and the entire Florida Legislature to support Florida’s farmers — the people who quietly and humbly feed our communities, fuel our economy, and protect our natural resources. Florida …

emergency rule

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Issues Emergency Rule to Protect Against HPAI

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule aimed to impose movement restrictions and testing for imported dairy cattle to Florida. This comes as an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. There have been no detections of HPAI in any livestock in Florida. Commissioner Simpson said, “This emergency rule is another proactive step Florida …

base

Explanation of Base Acreage Addition and Allocation and important points landowners and operators should know

Through language in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, an increase in base acreage addition and allocation is set to be underway. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Richard Fordyce explains how the USDA works to determine additional base acreage for farm safety net programs. “30 million additional base acres will be allocated across the country, and right now, …