Employment Opportunities Good for Ag Graduates

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report that projects strong employment opportunities for new college graduates interested in agriculture and related fields opened with a cautionary preface. Termed “A 2020 Pandemic Note,” it stated that the underlying study and preparation for the report began in September 2019, “when global socio-economic conditions were much different from today.” It stated that fewer …

USDA Forecast Calling for Lower Meat Production, Higher Prices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lowered its expectations for meat production in most categories. But according to a story from Stephanie Ho, USDA is forecasting higher prices across all meat categories this year. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance …

Equipment Finance Industry Confidence Remains Steady

According to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, the January 2021 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) remains steady with pre-pandemic levels. The index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $900 billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 59.6, unchanged …

GCC Encourages Participation in QLA Program

Georgia cotton producers impacted by Hurricane Michael in 2018 are encouraged to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program. The QLA program provides financial assistance to crop producers who experienced quality losses caused by qualifying disaster events in 2018 or 2019. The Georgia Cotton Commission GCC encourages producers to participate, says executive director Taylor …

Biden Administration Announces Foreclosure Moratorium / Mortgage Forbearance Deadline Extension

USDA Extends Evictions and Foreclosure Moratorium to March 31, 2021, and Provides Additional Guidance for Servicing Loans Impacted by COVID-19 (USDA/RD) — In one of his first acts in office, President Joe Biden requested federal agencies to extend eviction and foreclosure moratoriums for millions of Americans. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an extension of eviction and foreclosure …

USDA Announces Key Staff Appointments

(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the names of individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. Katharine Ferguson was named Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary. Most recently, Ferguson served as Associate Director of the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group. Before joining the Aspen Institute, Ferguson served in the Obama Administration …

Peanut Price Update

Tyron Spearman has an update on where peanut prices and loan numbers currently stand. Sponsored ContentFlorida 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 Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding …

Grower Sees Success With Oak Mulch

Like several commercial Florida citrus growers, Ben Bateman of Brandon has noticed a strong improvement in what he calls his “recreational grove” after applying oak mulch to the trees. Bateman planted 26 mixed-variety trees in large pots about six years ago, transplanting them to the ground five years ago. He said he spent nearly $1,000 on foliar nutrients “with little …

Agriculture groups Ready to Work with Biden Administration

AFBF Congratulates President Biden on Inauguration (AFBF) — American Farm Bureau (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall commented on the inauguration of President Joe Biden, who was sworn-in as the 46th President of the United States. “The American Farm Bureau Federation congratulates President Joe Biden as he begins his term as 46th president of the United States. We also congratulate Vice President Kamala Harris …