SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Residents of Florida Affected by Hurricane Michael

WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Linda McMahon issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration for several counties in Florida affected by Hurricane Michael beginning Oct. 7, 2018. “The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Florida residents with the most effective response possible to assist businesses, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans. Getting …

USMCA Predicted to Boost Protein Exports

Industry experts say the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) could lead to modest export gains for U.S. poultry, pork, and beef. A new report from CoBank says the agreement is expected to keep tariffs on food and agriculture between the three countries at zero. The report says the U.S. chicken sector exports are predicted to rise 47,000 metric tons in …

USDA Appoints Members to Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 25 members of the recently re-established Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The newly appointed members will serve terms of up to two years beginning immediately and ending in 2020. The appointees were selected from nominations received in May 2018 resulting from the April 23, 2018, announcement of the re-establishment of the …

Sunbelt Expo Preparing for 2018 Show

Some have wondered whether the annual Sunbelt Ag Expo will still be held after that monster storm known as Michael rolled through Southwest Georgia. Well, the answer is yes. According to the Sunbelt staff, thankfully the Expo grounds sustained only minimal damage from the storm. So exhibitor setup resumed Thursday afternoon, which allowed staff members time to make it safe …

Casey’s Announces Partnership with Prime the Pump

The Casey’s General Store chain announced a new partnership with Prime the Pump, a Growth Energy partner and nonprofit organization dedicated to helping give more consumers E15 at their local pumps. Casey’s says it will expand the offering of E15 to potentially more than 500 of its locations over the next few years. E15 is currently approved for nine out …

U.S. Farm Equipment Sales Rises in September

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly “Flash Report” says U.S. sales of all tractors back in September were up two percent compared to the same time frame in 2017. For the first nine months in 2018, a total of 181,515 tractors were sold, which compares to 168,651 sold through the first nine months of 2017. That represents an eight percent …

WASDE Anticipates Lower Harvests for Corn and Soybeans

The October World Ag Supply and Demand (WASDE) report predicts corn and soybean yields will both be lower than previously expected. Corn production is forecast at 14.78 billion bushels, down 49 million bushels due to a reduced yield forecast. Corn supplies going into harvest are forecast to be a record-high number, exports were raised by 75 million bushels, and USDA …

Best Veggies to Grow Indoors

With winter right around the corner, you don’t want a little snowfall or cold weather to slow down your growing your own vegetables. Cathy Isom tells you about some of the best veggies to grow indoors. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Best Veggies to Grow Indoors Some your favorite foods don’t necessarily need to come from an …

Agri View: Value of Bugs Pollinating Crops

Everett Griner talks about bugs of value to farmers for pollinating crops in today’s Agri View. Value of Bugs Pollinating Crops A lot has been said about the decline of the honeybee. We can be comforted in the fact that they are nowhere close to extension. They do need help pollinating plants of this world. I think I have already …

Secretary Perdue Comments on USMCA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the announcement of a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): “The great news of a new USMCA deal is important for our economy as a whole, including the agricultural sector, which counts Canada and Mexico in our top three trading partners. I have long said that I believe our country is …