The agricultural production system was not prepared for the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crops were left in the field or plowed under because of decreased demand. Loads of milk were even dumped. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida/IFAS hopes farmers and agricultural leaders can learn from last season’s initial outbreak. …
Stabenow Urges USDA to Prioritize Protections for Food Workers
Senator Debbie Stabenow, the incoming Senate Agriculture Committee chair, urged the Department of Agriculture this week to implement the bipartisan worker protection provisions in the COVID-19 assistance package. The Michigan Democrat says, “In order to repair our food supply and feed families in need, USDA must prioritize safety in addition to food purchases.” In the recently passed COVID-19 assistance package, …
Meat Worker COVID-19 Cases Five Times Lower
A new analysis of independent data for 2020 shows that new COVID-19 infection rates amongst meat and poultry workers were five times lower in December than in May. Meanwhile, rates in the general population rocketed up nine times in the same period. According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network, the meat and poultry sector were reported to …
Farm Tractor Sales Finish 2020 Higher
Farm tractor and combine sales finished the year with solid growth across the U.S. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) reports U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 26.8% in December compared to 2019, while U.S. combine sales fell 1.9%. U.S. four-wheel-drive units fell slightly in December, down 3.7%, with year-to-date sales finishing up 3.7%. 100+hp posted healthy growth in December, …
USDA WASDE Report Sends Grain Markets Higher
The latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand (WADSE) report sent grain markets higher Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) monthly corn outlook called for lower production, reduced corn used for ethanol, smaller feed and residual use and exports and decreased ending stocks. Corn production is estimated at 14.1 billion bushels, down 324 million on a lower yield and slight …
Changes Made to U.S. Peanut Production Forecast
When USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its January crop production estimates, it noted some changes from last month’s report for the U.S. peanut crop. Tyron Spearman has the new numbers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique …
U.S. Cotton Production Down 25% in 2020
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its January crop reports today, updating numbers from last year’s crop. Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the 2020 U.S. cotton production forecast is down 25% from 2019’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 15.0 million 480-pound bales, down 6% from the previous forecast, and down 25% from 2019. All …
Florida Beef Council Promoting Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) continues its effort to promote a big event coming up next month. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says they are excited about the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300” to be held at the Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13. For more information about the Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300, click …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association YCLP Class 7 Wraps Up
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s (ACA) Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP), which is funded in part by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, saw Class 7 wrap up recently. ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Desselle says applications for Class 8 are now open. More information about YCLP can be found on the ACA website, bamabeef.org. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, …
Farm Equipment Manufacturing Trends to Watch in 2021
Both the immediate and long-term future of the manufacturing industry will be defined by the development of several evolving and prominent trends. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, one such trend gaining traction is the inclination to buy equipment from a place like the Agrifarm in QLD, which is poised to have a significant impact in 2021. The organization …