There’s a call to reevaluate the required minimum pay for ag labor and the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Rule . Michigan’s current minimum wage is $10.10 for workers who don’t get tips, but the minimum wage that farmers can pay their H2A workers is $17.34. The Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus Association, Jamie Clover Adams, says the true …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 09-22-2023
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended September 22, 2023, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended- September 22, 2023, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 16,394 head compared to 17,869 last week and …
Fall Cattle Market Outlook
by Will Jordan As hints of cooler weather are beginning to appear, the heat of cattle prices remains steady. Looking into the fall, marketing calves and rebuilding the cowherds are on the minds of many producers. To help inform marketing decisions, AgNet visited with Holden Ramey, cattle market analyst from CattleFax, for a Fall cattle market forecast. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle …
Increase in Peanut Production Forecast
USDA has increased their forecast for 2023 U.S. peanut production. Tyron Spearman runs through the updated numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle …
New Crop Insurance for Tropical Storms Benefits Producers Impacted by Idalia
(USDA-RMA/WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent expansion of its hurricane crop insurance policy to cover tropical storms this year has already provided farmers with $85.4 million to help them recover from Hurricane Idalia. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) rolled out the new Tropical Storm Option for its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement earlier this year …
Efforts Being Made to Address Rural Veterinary Shortages
Lawmakers have reintroduced the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, formerly known as the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. Introduced in both the House and Senate, the legislation would expand its reach. The Program helps increase access to food animal veterinary services in rural areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt. The legislation would end the federal …
Majority of U.S. Apples Used in Juices
How the U.S. uses most of its apples. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are a lot of ways to eat them – pies, cobblers, crisps, with peanut butter, or cheese or made into sauce or cider. However, new data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows a majority of apples are used in juices. In 2021, …
Idalia Agricultural Losses Estimated Up to $370M in Florida
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE,FL/Sept. 21,2023) — A preliminary report released Thursday by the University of Florida estimated up to $370.9 million in agricultural losses from Hurricane Idalia, which barreled through rural areas of North Florida in late August. And losses could increase as damage to infrastructure and such things as timber are factored in. Christa Court, director of the Economic Impact Analysis Program …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Cost-Share Assistance for Agricultural Producers Impacted by Hurricane IdaliaÂ
~ Maximum grant for eligible producers raised from $50,000 to $150,000 ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 21,2023) — Today, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a cost-share assistance program to support agricultural producers severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The cost-share assistance program will be administered though the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy and will support …
Plains Peanut Festival is Saturday
The Plains Peanut Festival will be held Saturday, September 23rd. Tyron Spearman is looking forward to the annual event and invites folks to stop by and enjoy a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  PLAINS, PEANUTS AND A PRESIDENT: THE 26TH ANNUAL PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL CELEBRATES PEANUT HARVEST AND HONORS 39TH PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER By Joy Crosby (TIFTON, GA/Sept. 15, 2023) — …