Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made a plea to the Senate Ag Appropriations Committee in an effort to get help for the nation’s farmers and ranchers who are struggling. The committee met this week to review President Biden’s budget proposal for the Department of Agriculture. “I represented farmers during the 1980s as a small-town lawyer. I can tell you the pain. I can …
Corn and Soybean Planting Slow by Any Measure
There’s been very little progress in both corn and soybean planting across the country so far this season. Gary Crawford has more details. In Alabama, corn planted as of this past Sunday was at 87 percent, which compares to 95 percent last year and the 5-year average is 93 percent. Corn emerged was at 76 percent, which compares to 87 …
Hunting Hours for Alligators Expanded in Florida
(NSF) — Alligators in Florida will be targeted around-the-clock when the next hunting season begins in August. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently approved a final rule change that will extend what had largely been nighttime hunting — between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. — to 24 hours during the season. Supporters say the change will help hunters …
NPPC to Weigh in on EPA Formaldehyde Risk Assessment
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) will soon submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s toxicological review of formaldehyde. NPPC says formaldehyde is used in pork production for, among other things, preventing Salmonella infections in pigs and as a disinfectant. Pork industry-funded research has demonstrated formaldehyde’s potential as a mitigant for contamination of feeds with viruses such as African swine …
Pig Disease Research Could Save Pork Industry Millions
Researchers are zeroing in on ways to combat a major pig disease that costs hog producers millions of dollars a year. Gary Crawford has more details Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of …
USDA Report Indicates Advancing Conservation Trends
We told you back in March that a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report showed the use of no-till, crop rotations, more efficient irrigation methods and advanced technologies have climbed in recent years. The report is from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and it shows how progress was made through voluntary conservation over a 10-year period. The report was developed by USDA’s Conservation …
Farmer Mental Health Month
Protecting Farmers’ Mental Health Farming is one of the most challenging ways to make a living and can take a toll on farmers and everyone close to them. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jessica Cabrera, American Farm Bureau managing director of member engagement, says mental health can be a difficult topic to discuss in farm country. “Farm life …
AFBF Applauds SEC Deadline Extension
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) extended the deadline for public comment on its proposal to require U.S.-listed companies to disclose a range of climate-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions. The comment period expired in April but now is extended to June 17. The proposal would require public companies to report on Scope 3 emissions, which are the result …
One-quarter of Peanut Crop Has been Planted
The latest weekly crop update from USDA shows one-quarter of the nation’s peanut crop has been planted. Tyron Spearman runs through the latest numbers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …
Celebrating Beef Month in Florida
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is celebrating Beef Month in a variety of different ways. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, talks about a ranch tour they are conducting this week. For more information about Beef Checkoff promotions in Florida, contact the FBC office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, …