Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the March 2020 income over feed cost margin was $9.15 per hundredweight (cwt.), thus triggering the first payment of 2020 for dairy producers who purchased the appropriate level of coverage under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce has a reminder of what the …
Stabenow Introduces Food Supply Protection Act
Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced legislation on Wednesday to help protect the food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on farmers, workers, food banks and families. Stabenow, the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee, says, “This bill will help strengthen our food supply.” The Food Supply Protection Act will support food banks and non-profits to help …
Beef Cattle Industry Adjusting to New Conditions
One USDA analyst says there are several recent encouraging signs for the beleaguered beef cattle industry. Gary Crawford has the details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober 24, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role in Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025
Alabama Agribusiness Council to Hold Annual Meeting
The Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) recently announced that it is moving forward with its annual meeting, which is scheduled for June 21-23 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama. AAC Executive Director, Leigha Cauthen, says they are excited about bringing their members together. The Perdido Beach Resort extended the AAC room block to Thursday, May 28 to give …
Peanut Planting Update
While planting continues across the Southeast, Tyron Spearman reports getting peanut seed in the ground is slightly behind the 5-year average. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober 24, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role in Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025
Georgia Cotton Planting Tops 50%
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), cotton planting in Georgia topped the 50% mark this past week. But Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Executive Director Richey Seaton explains how varying weather conditions have kept the numbers below the 5-year average. In Georgia, 57% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 72% last year. Seaton said …
$16 Billion in USDA Aid Now Available; Commissioner Fried Urges Farmers to Apply
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Tallahassee, Fla. – Applications opened on Tuesday for $16 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture financial support through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to help American farmers impacted by COVID-19. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging all eligible Florida farmers and ranchers to apply immediately through their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. …
Farmland Prices Continue Decline; Farm Borrowing Increasing
The latest Rural Mainstreet Index from Creighton University shows farmland prices are declining while farmer borrowing is growing. Released last week, the overall index for May increased to 12.5 from April’s record low 12.1 but down significantly from March’s weak 35.5. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. Farmland prices continue to …
White House: China Deal is ‘On Track’
Officials in the Trump Administration are talking positively about China’s commitments in implementing the Phase One trade deal with the U.S. Politico says that’s even as the coronavirus outbreak that began in China is straining relations between the countries. The deal requires China to make their markets more open as well as increase its purchases of U.S. farm goods, manufactured …
Milk Output Still Rising; Meat Export Prospects
The latest numbers show that U.S. milk output is still rising and may continue doing so into next year. Gary Crawford has that story, along with looking at what the processing disruptions are doing to U.S. meat export prospects right now. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober 24, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role …