Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature quickly put the finishing touches on a record $91.1 billion spending plan Saturday, meeting numerous requests from freshman Gov. Ron DeSantis. While declaring “great wins for conservatives,” along with environmental protections that should appeal to Democrats, the governor said he intends to use his line-item veto power but didn’t specify what spending he might target. “It’s going …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 05-03-19
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 03, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended May 3, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 16,700 head compared to 9,944 last week and …
USDA Announces Repayment Options for Producers with Coverage in Previous MPP for Dairy
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that dairy producers who had coverage under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which provided payments to producers when the price of milk fell below the feed costs to produce it, are eligible to receive a repayment for part of the premiums paid into the program. To be eligible for this repayment, which …
Lawmakers Try to Set Stage for Hemp Industry
Moving quickly after the passage of a federal law, the Florida Legislature on Friday gave final approval to a bill aimed at creating an industrial-hemp industry in the state. Senators voted 39-0 to pass the bill (SB 1020), after the House approved it in a 112-1 vote Wednesday. The bill is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The state …
Peanut Stocks Update
The latest numbers show a decrease in stocks of peanuts. 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
Half-way Through Alabama Legislative Session
The 2019 Alabama Legislative Session has now officially reached the half-way point. But as Executive Director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council Leigha Cauthen notes, there is still plenty of time for bills of interest to agriculture to see some action. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida Hemp Bill Passage
The Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1020, establishing a state hemp program within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The historic vote comes after the 2018 federal Farm Bill removed prohibitions on industrial hemp in place since 1937 and authorized states to create hemp programs. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, a noted advocate for hemp, cannabis, and medical marijuana, offered the following statement: “Today’s …
Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar Falls to All-Time Low
The farmer’s share of the food dollar has reached an all-time low. For every dollar American consumers spend on food, U.S. farmers and ranchers earn just 14.6 cents, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. This value marks a 17 percent decline since 2011 and the smallest portion of the American food …
NAP Buy-Up Coverage Now Available
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind producers that higher levels of coverage are available through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The 2018 Farm Bill also increased service fees and made other changes to the program, including service fee waivers for qualified military veterans interested in obtaining NAP coverage. NAP provides financial assistance to producers of commercial …
Second Hours-of-Service Bill Introduced in Congress
The Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act was introduced in the Senate earlier this week. Now, House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson and Greg Pence of Indiana introduced H.R. Bill 2460, the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act. The legislation is a companion to a Senate Bill introduced last February and already drawing bipartisan supporters. It would require the Secretary of Transportation …