Eight Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

(WASHINGTON, DC/USDA FSA/June 3, 2022) — This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a …

Vilsack on Food Systems in Farm Bill

While announcing more funding intended to help the nation’s food supply chain and transform the food system, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration views the next farm bill as a critical opportunity to advance the discussion of a transformed food system. “A vision that includes a fair and more competitive food system consistent with access to safe, healthy, nutritious, and …

Commissioner Fried Launches FDACS Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative

(Tallahassee, FL/June 3, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the Department’s Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative at Wish Farms, one of America’s largest berry producers, which has prioritized investments in the mental health and well-being of its staff. Commissioner Fried was joined for this announcement by State Attorney Andrew Warren as well as representatives with Florida 211 and the University …

Quiet Peanut Market

With peanut planting getting closer to completion, the market for the 2022 crop continues to be very quiet. Tyron Spearman looks at what some are saying about marketing peanuts this year. 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 …

DeSantis Signs Florida Budget, Vetoes $3.13 Billion

(TALLAHASSEE/NSF) — Pointing to a need to further brace the state against a potential recession, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued $3.13 billion in vetoes Thursday as he signed a record $109.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1. Among the large vetoes were $650 million for a new 4,500-bed prison; $195 million for construction of a prison …

Billion-Dollar Livestock Facility Planned for Western South Dakota

Plans are in development to construct a $1.1 billion next-generation livestock processing facility in western South Dakota. The one-million-square-foot facility will process beef and include a specialty bison line. Kingsbury and Associates and Sirius Realty of Rapid City, South Dakota, are currently in the research and development phase of the project. “We aim to restore competition in American meat processing,” …

Georgia State Veterinarian on HPAI Confirmation

Thursday, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard flock located in Toombs County, Georgia. Samples were taken on May 29th after the flock owners reported sick birds and an increased rate of mortality. After testing for the H5N1 avian influenza virus, …

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Confirmed in a Backyard Flock in Georgia

(ATLANTA/June 2, 2022) — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) have confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard flock (non-poultry) located in Toombs County, Georgia. This is the first confirmation of HPAI in Georgia. Avian influenza does not pose a risk to the …