Florida Approves Preservation of Over 10,000 Acres of Working Farms and Ranches Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced this week that Florida’s Governor and Cabinet, acting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, have approved the preservation of more than 10,000 acres of working Florida farms and ranches. The preservation initiative is a part of …
NCBA’s Ethan Lane on Government Shutdown Impact to the Cattle Industry As the federal government shutdown takes effect, cattle producers are bracing for its potential impact. We spoke with Ethan Lane, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to understand what this means for the cattle industry and the critical USDA services it depends …
Following the announcement of a $531 million block grant to support Georgia farmers and timberland owners affected by Hurricane Helene, the focus now shifts to implementation. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper shared the path forward and what producers can expect next in the disaster recovery process. “USDA, you know, has been rolling out funds that they’re able to through their …
USDA Shutdown Plan Reveals Over 42,000 Employees Furloughed As part of federal requirements, the White House Office of Management and Budget mandates that the USDA maintain a contingency plan for operations in the event of a government shutdown. That plan has now gone into effect following the shutdown that began Wednesday at 12 a.m., impacting thousands of agency employees and …
Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Each September, Grand Island, Nebraska, becomes the center of attention in the farming world as it hosts Husker Harvest Days. Known as one of the largest farm shows in the United States, the event draws farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and agricultural innovators from across the country. But the city’s role in agriculture extends far beyond …
By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo, scheduled for Oct. 14-16 in Moultrie, Georgia, will feature Georgia as the Spotlight State, crown a new Farmer of the Year and showcase technological advancements through its field demonstrations. Chip Blalock, Sunbelt Ag Expo executive director, talked about this year’s event. “We are looking forward to the 47th annual North America’s premier farm …
Georgia Secures $531 Million in Block Grant Funding After Hurricane Helene Following months of advocacy and negotiation, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper announced a major milestone in recovery efforts for farmers and timberland owners impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Block Grant Funding Agreement, reached in collaboration with USDA and Secretary Rollins, will deliver more than $531 million in disaster …
Peanut Harvest Progresses in Georgia and Alabama Despite Dry Conditions Peanut farmers across the Southeast are working hard to get their crops in, but a lack of widespread rain continues to challenge progress. According to peanut specialists, rainfall has been too limited to meet crop needs in some regions. “Well, the peanut farmers are trying to get their crop in, …
USDA Reports 18% of U.S. Corn Harvested by September 28 With harvests well underway across the Corn Belt, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey provided an update on the pace of this year’s U.S. corn harvest as of September 28th, 2025. The national harvest is slightly behind schedule, with regional disparities based on weather and crop maturity. “The corn harvest number for …
USDA Responds to New World Screwworm (NWS) Detection Near U.S.-Mexico Border Following the recent detection of New World Screwworm just 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ramping up efforts to prevent the pest’s entry into the United States. Lauren Stump, USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, provided a detailed update on …
