financial

New Legislation Aims to Support Farmers’ Financial Needs for 2024

The Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation (FARM) Act, introduced last month and supported by over 40 members of Congress, seeks to address immediate financial needs in the farming community. Endorsed by major agricultural groups like the National Sorghum Producers, the legislation proposes economic assistance targeted for the 2024 crop year. Under the FARM Act, payment calculations would be based on …

Farm bankruptcies

American Agriculture History Minute: Opening New Areas for Agriculture

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The U.S. economy was still primarily agriculturally based in the early 19th century. Westward expansion continues, including the Louisiana Purchase, plus the building of canals, the introduction of steamboats, opening new areas for agriculture. Still, most farming was designed to produce food for the family and maybe service small local markets. …

WOTUS rule

USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces New Sign-Up and Extension Due to Hurricane Helene

As a result of Hurricane Helene, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a new Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) related sign-up for livestock producers in 55 counties in Georgia and an extension of the Fiscal Year 2025 EQIP statewide sign-up that was announced on October 1, 2024.   Those livestock producers applying for Hurricane Helene EQIP related assistance will need to apply by November …

georgia beef board

Macon Burger Week is Underway in Georgia

We’ve been talking about it the past couple of weeks, and now it’s underway, the annual Macon Burger Week. Dale Sandlin, executive vice president of the Georgia Beef Board, notes a lot of ground beef will be sold during this event. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …

florida beef council

Florida Beef Council Conducts a Beef Demo

Last week, the Florida Beef Council (FBC) took part in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting Convention in Miramar Beach. FBC Director of Beef Marketing and Promotion, DeAnne Maples, was there and says they conducted a beef demo at the annual event. For more information on Beef Checkoff activities in Florida, contact the FBC office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentFlorida …

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Christmas from Cowboys Promotion

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) continues to encourage producers across the state to be a part of the ACA, and thus has put together an end of the year promotion. ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley explains how their Christmas from Cowboys promotion works. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of …

cotton crop harvest

Weekly Cotton and Peanut Harvest Update

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly crop report indicates cotton harvest is moving along ahead of average in most states. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has an update.  And Rippey notes the dry conditions have slowed the peanut harvest down a bit.  The USDA report notes this is how the cotton and peanut harvests were progressing across the Southeast as of this past Sunday:  …

American Agriculture

New Report on Irrigation and Water Management

A new report shows the updated numbers concerning irrigation and water management. Mark Oppold has more details.  Sponsored ContentFlorida 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, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages …

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

Farm Loans Soar as Ag Economy Deteriorates

Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.  The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017, the report said, with commercial banks issuing 40% more of these loans …