USDA Issues Farm Safety Net and Conservation Payments

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to invest in rural America with more than $4.8 billion in payments being made, starting this month, to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. Approximately $3 billion in payments will be made under …

EAA Farmers, Inc. Issues Statement on Federal Authorization of EAA Reservoir

A statement from Danielle Alvarez, spokesperson for EAA Farmers, Inc., following the federal approval of the EAA reservoir: “Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) farm families are pleased that the EAA reservoir will be achieved in a way that will accomplish restoration goals while also protecting homegrown food supply.  Restoration has been a tremendous success south of Lake Okeechobee and serves as proof that …

Southern Africa: A Promising Region for U.S. Agricultural Exports

Two-way agricultural trade between the United States and Southern Africa has grown significantly in the past decade, reaching a record $1.5 billion in 2017. The region imported $14 billion in agricultural and related products last year and the potential for U.S. export growth is strong, given that many of these are products that the United States produces competitively. USDA’s Foreign …

Brazil Soybean Supplies Running Low

Soybean crushers in Brazil are running low on soybeans as they face tougher competition from Chinese buyers over the remaining 2017-2018 season supplies. A Bloomberg report says crushers in Brazil worked with negative margins since the second half of September. The pace of processing has slowed since the soy rally has doubled premiums this year, putting a squeeze on domestic …

Livestock Groups Petition Department of Transportation for Hours of Service Flexibility

Organizations representing livestock, bee, and fish haulers across the country submitted a petition to the Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting additional flexibility on Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. The petition asks for a five-year exemption from certain HOS requirements for livestock haulers and encourages DOT to work with the livestock industry to implement additional fatigue-management practices. Current rules limit drive time to …

COUNTRY Financial Partners with Sunbelt Ag Expo to host Youth Event

The 2018 Sunbelt Ag Expo kicks off Tuesday in Moultrie, Georgia and something new will take place at this year’s event. COUNTRY Financial is partnering with Sunbelt Ag Expo to host the Youth Educational Challenges. Lindsey Rinkenberger, director of agribusiness operations at COUNTRY Financial, explains. COUNTRY Financial Partners with Sunbelt Ag Expo to Host Youth Event COUNTRY Financial® provides a great …

NCBA Calls for Additional Flexibility on HOS Rule

During a public listening session last week in Washington D.C., hosted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) called for additional flexibility on Hours of Service (HOS) rules for livestock haulers. NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera participated in the session. NCBA Calls for Additional Flexibility on HOS Rule Sponsored ContentCIR …

Dropped Tariffs Could Mean Less USDA Trade Aid Relief

Ag groups are largely supportive of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade package. However, many of those same groups say their biggest concern right now is ending retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. Those duties were put in place after President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue told Reuters this week that, with a trade deal …

EWP Helps Florida Landowners after Hurricane

While Hurricane Michael didn’t affect all areas in Florida, it did some. And no matter when a natural disaster may strike, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants landowners to know if your area suffers damage, the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) can help relieve imminent hazards to life and property. This includes damage caused by hurricanes, floods, fires and …

Livestock Exhibits at Sunbelt Ag Expo

The 2018 Sunbelt Ag Expo kicks off Tuesday at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia. And according to show director Chip Blalock, there will be many things happening in the livestock section this year. Livestock Exhibits at Sunbelt Ag Expo Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher …