A top farm organization leader says it is time to “turn the page” on partisan politics. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall made the comments during an opening press conference as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation Virtual Annual Convention. Duvall’s remarks follow last week’s rally and attack on the U.S. capitol. Duvall says, “we have got to work together, …
Market Outlook Discussed During Beltwide Cotton Conferences
The National Cotton Council (NCC) held its virtual 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences last week, which included three days of live-streamed individual reports and panel discussions from the technical sessions along with poster presentations and seminars. During the event, NCC Vice President of Economics and Policy Analysis, Jody Campiche, provided attendees a cotton market outlook for this year’s crop. To learn …
Stabenow Expected to Lead Senate Ag Committee
With Democrats winning the two Georgia runoff Senate elections last week and a 50-50 majority expected in the chamber, Michigan’s Debbie Stabenow is poised to be the next Senate Agriculture Committee Chair. Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris will preside over the Senate, giving Democrats the slim majority. With full control by Democrats in Washington, D.C., farmers and ranchers can expect climate, …
USDA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities Amid Ongoing Pandemic
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15, 2021. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30, 2021. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting written agreement requests and …
Seed Coat Fragments: GCC Encourages Producers to go to its Website for More Information
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) encourages producers dealing with seed coat fragments from this year’s crop to go to its website for more information, where Ed Barnes with Cotton Incorporated, talks about the issue and why it is so severe. “Seed coat fragments have popped up in limited capacities across the country every couple of years. We understand several different …
AI: The Future of Farming is Happening Today
What was once the future of farming is happening today at the University of Florida/IFAS. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, explains how UF/IFAS is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help producers be more efficient in their farming operations. “It’s a fascinating issue right now. The University of Florida wants to move into the top 5 for …
Seed Coat Fragments Another Problem for Alabama Cotton Producers
As if cotton prices were not low enough, some producers across the Southeast are being penalized for seed coat fragments. It’s a deduction that costs farmers 4.45 cents per pound, said Steve Brown, Alabama Extension cotton specialist. “It’s a double whammy because you got punished on yields, and now you’re getting punished on fiber quality, too,” Brown said. Brown said …
Vice President’s Promise a Commitment to Students
The “Vice President’s Promise” at the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is a commitment that all undergraduate students have opportunities for immersive personal experiences outside the classroom. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the UF/IFAS, initiated the promise to the 4,200 undergraduate students that they would have access to an experience that …
Looking at the COVID Relief Package for Cattle Producers
When Congress passed the COVID Relief Package last month, funding was earmarked for agriculture, including support for those left out of earlier assistance. While that does include livestock producers, how does it actually help those in the cattle industry? National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs, Danielle Beck, explains what they know about the recently signed package. …
Grain Exports End 2020 on High Note
The newest grain export sales report from the USDA for the week ending on Dec. 24 shows that 2020 is ending on a positive note. Soybean export sales for the 2020-2021 crop surpassed analyst expectations. The trade was looking for sales ranging between 7–25 million bushels. However, the new figure passed those estimates as sales jumped 74% from the previous …