Tallahassee, Fla. — Following today’s announcement by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that agricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is encouraging Florida’s farmers and ranchers to apply immediately. The EIDL portal reopened today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “As Florida’s agricultural producers work hard to …
Peanut Meetings to be Held
While some upcoming peanut meetings have been changed to a virtual format, one big event is still planning to be held as normal in July. Tyron Spearman reports registration is now open for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, which is scheduled for July 16-18 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role in Applied Beef …
Florida Rancher Using Traceability as Management Tool
A topic that continues to be discussed by many cattle producers is animal traceability. It was the subject of a session held back in February during the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention. One of the speakers was Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) President-elect, Gene Lollis, from Lake Placid, Florida. He explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman how they use traceability on the …
Cotton and Peanut Planting Update
For the most part, planting progress is comparable to the previous five years. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest look at cotton planting numbers across the belt. But Rippey says peanut planting progress is slightly behind the average. In Alabama, 20% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 22% last year, and 21% is the 5-year …
AJCA Round-Up Planned for July
While various events have either been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, one event is still being planned to take place in July. The 14th Annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association (AJCA) Round-Up is scheduled for July 16-19 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Director of Field Services, Morgan Pounds, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that registration …
Cash Receipts for Meat Animals Are Up
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 2019 production of meat animals (cattle and calves and hogs and pigs) for the U.S. totaled 85.3 billion pounds. This was an increase of 1% from 2018. Production decreased 2% for cattle and calves but increased 5% for hogs and pigs. Total 2019 cash receipts from marketing …
BQA Nominations Due June 5
Nominations for the 14th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are being accepted until June 5. The 2020 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef producer, dairy, marketing and education: The beef producer honors include BQA Cow Calf and BQA Feedyard awards, which recognize producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part …
Peterson Will Draft Emergency Plan for Agriculture
Representative Collin Peterson, the Minnesota Democrat who chairs the House Ag Committee, says he will “personally see to it” that the Ag industry doesn’t suffer from a national emergency like COVID-19 again. “I can tell you as chairman of the Ag committee that this is not going to happen again on my watch,” Peterson said during a press conference in …
UGA Entomologist: Thrips Are Our Most Consistent and Predictable Insect Pest of Cotton
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts cautions growers about thrips as cotton planting season approaches. “Thrips are our most consistent and predictable insect pest of cotton, infesting nearly 100% of the cotton acres in Georgia every year. Thrips infestations, historically, have been higher on April or early May-planted cotton. More specifically, thrips infestations tend …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 05-01-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 1, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: Feeder Steers: Medium and Large Frame 1-2 300-400 lbs####128.00-167.50 400-500 lbs####120.00-150.00 500-600 lbs####118.00-145.00 600-700 lbs####108.00-128.00 Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large Frame 1-2 300-400 lbs####110.00-147.00 400-500 lbs####104.00-138.00 …