Commissioner Nikki Fried Continues Israel Trade Mission-Day 4

Today (May 26, 2019) marked the fourth day of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried’s first trade mission to Israel. Fried has spent several days meeting with government officials, agricultural research groups, and agriculture-related businesses before joining other Florida Cabinet members next week for a Cabinet meeting and business development meetings. Among other events, Commissioner Fried met today with Agriculture Minister Uri …

Marketing Assistance Loan Deadlines Approaching

May 31 Deadline for Feed Grains, Upland Cotton, Soybeans and Minor Oilseeds U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce reminds producers of the May 31 deadline to apply for crop year 2018 marketing assistance loans for feed grains, upland cotton, soybeans and minor oilseeds. “These commodity loans provide short-term financing, allowing producers to meet interim …

Commissioner Nikki Fried Continues Israel Trade Mission

Today (Friday, May 24, 2019) marked day two of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried’s first trade mission to Israel. Fried will spend several days meeting with government officials, agricultural research groups, and agriculture-related businesses before joining other Florida Cabinet members next week for a Cabinet meeting and business development meetings. Fried made this statement following yesterday’s trade mission kickoff: “I’m thrilled …

Industry Response to Disaster Relief No Vote

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried A $19.1 billion disaster relief bill – set for passage seven months after Category 5 Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle – was single-handedly blocked by a lone freshman member of the House of Representatives. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “It’s craven, shameful politics at its worst that a single House member would choose …

Lower Global Peanut Production Expected

New predictions indicate global peanut production for 2018-2019 will be down. Tyron Spearman has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

Alabama Lawmakers Nearing End of Session

With Alabama lawmakers working to wrap up the 2019 legislative session, efforts on the budget took place this week. Leigha Cauthen, executive director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, has an update on the budget and on a bill of interest to rural Alabama. The Alabama Agribusiness Council provides an interactive bill tracker with links to bill text, sponsor information and …

NCBA Spends Time Talking Trade

We told you earlier this year about how the U.S. Department of Agriculture worked hard last year to expand trade opportunities around the world for U.S. ag producers. And those efforts paid off as global sales remained strong in spite of challenges in the trade arena throughout the year. USDA helped to break down trade barriers and provided more access …

Continuous Signup Period Coming for Conservation Resource Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it will soon begin signup of eligible lands under its continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Rod Bain has more details. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications beginning June 3 for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup and will offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The 2018 …