The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is temporarily suspending past-due debt collections and foreclosures for distressed borrowers under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and International debt collection agency. USDA will also temporarily suspend non-judicial foreclosures, debt offsets or …
Senate Ag Committee Schedules Vilsack Confirmation Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee scheduled a confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack. The committee will meet Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m. ET, to consider the nomination. Committee leadership, Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow and Arkansas Republican John Boozman, made the announcement Wednesday. Vilsack is expected to enjoy a smooth confirmation process. Vilsack previously served as Agriculture Secretary for …
Alabama January Crop and Weather Update
Each week during the row crop growing season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publishes a weekly crop report, looking at how specific crops are progressing and more. This time of the year, the report looks mostly at weather conditions and the crops that are grown at this time. According to NASS, January temperatures in …
GDA Produce Safety Alliance to Hold More Training Sessions
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) held a 2-day virtual Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training this week. According to GDA Education and Outreach Associate Elizabeth Danforth, they are already working on plans to hold another training in a few weeks. Grower Training Courses satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party for …
Weather Main Factor in Seed Coat Fragment Issue
One of the main takeaways from the 2020 cotton season remains the issue with seed coat fragments and the abnormally high number of reported instances in cotton this year. Ed Barnes, Senior Director, Agricultural & Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated, talked to Georgia cotton producers during Wednesday’s annual Georgia Cotton Commission meeting about the surge in seed coat fragment occurrences. …
USDA Expects Milk Production Increase in 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects milk production to increase this year. Stephanie Ho has a story explaining why. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski has more details of USDA’s forecast for month over month higher prices for dairy products. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, …
Florida Senate Set to Review Governor’s Budget
In a signal that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will release his proposed 2021-2022 budget in the coming days, the Senate Appropriations Committee and subcommittees are slated to receive a series of presentations about his spending plan next week. According to the News Service of Florida, the Senate calendar also shows the Appropriations Committee is scheduled to receive a presentation about …
Family-Owned Farms Account for 96% of U.S. Farms
Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the data in the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report. The report focuses on the family farm, defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned …
Farmer Co-ops Applaud White House Call to Buy American
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives applauded President Joe Biden’s Buy American executive order signed this week. The action supports manufacturers, businesses and workers to ensure that federal purchasing programs follow Buy American requirements. The order seeks to close loopholes in how domestic content is measured, create a new position at the Office of Management and Budget to oversee the …
New Nutrient Recommendations Needed for Florida Farmers
Additional, more efficient research aimed at nutrient management is a key to the long-term sustainability of the Florida farmer. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida/IFAS, promises more nutrient-based research projects aimed at helping the state’s producers. It is essential considering the livelihood of Florida farmers are at stake. “As I’ve traveled around …