Farmers were more optimistic in August, as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose to a reading of 144, 26 points higher than a month earlier. Organizers say the improvement resulted from improved perceptions regarding current conditions and better expectations for the future. The Index of Current Conditions rose 13 points in August to 124 while the Index of …
U.S. Meat Exports to South Korea Face New Round of COVID-19 Restrictions
In an effort to contain a recent wave of COVID-19 cases, the government of South Korea has re-imposed heightened social distancing requirements in the Seoul metropolitan area, including restrictions on some food and beverage providers. U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Joe’s Schuele has more details on what this means for U.S. beef and pork exports.  Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive …
Update on Florida Beef at the Race Track Campaign
We told you a couple of weeks ago that a 6-week campaign for the Beef Checkoff in Florida partnering with the Daytona International Speedway had begun. Director of Education & Promotion for the Florida Beef Council (FBC), DeAnne Maples, has an update on the campaign, which recently included a well-known driver whose family grows watermelons and raises beef in Florida. …
Georgia Beef Board Pleased with Southeast Promotion
We told you back in June that the Georgia Beef Board (GBB) had joined other Southeastern states in a regional summer beef promotion. GBB Executive Vice President Dale Sandlin says this Beef Checkoff promotion through YouTube went phenomenally well. For more information about this and other Beef Checkoff promotions in Georgia, contact the GBB office in Macon. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle …
Warnell Deer Researchers See Face Coverings Differently
By Destin Kee/University of Georgia For students who work in the University of Georgia’s Deer Research Laboratory, the concept of face coverings is not new. That’s because when researchers study white-tailed deer, face coverings are used to keep the animals calm while necessary data is collected. Lately this data, such as size or DNA, has been collected as part of …
ACA Reminds Producers Signup for AASP Starts Sept. 8
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced last month they were awarding $26 Million of CARES Act Funds to assist Alabama Agriculture impacted by COVID-19. The Alabama Agricultural Stabilization Program (AASP), with funds being directed to seven different programs, was made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It provided the state more than $1.8 billion to …
Cotton Bolls Opening; Peanut Crop a Bright Spot
When it comes to the nation’s cotton crop, Hurricane Laura had an impact, especially with the fact that bolls were opening. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has an update on how many have opened across the belt. Rippey notes the condition of the peanut crop is a bright spot. In Alabama, 97% of the crop was setting bolls, which compares to …
Peanuts Remain Top Consumed Nut in America
After noting that consumer eating habits are changing, the Director of Brand Strategy for the J.M. Smucker Company recently said peanuts remain the top consumed nut in America. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, …
CARES Funding to Help Alabama Forest Owners
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama TREASURE Forest Association (AFTA) welcomed news today of $10 million in state coronavirus relief to help forest owners impacted by the pandemic. Federation President Jimmy Parnell thanked Gov. Kay Ivey and State Forester Rick Oates for working to provide relief for landowners who sold timber at reduced prices due to market disruption. …
Deadline Approaching for CFAP
Application Deadline is Sept. 11 WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers that the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is Sept. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. “FSA offers several …