The 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Moving to New Date

(NCBA) — The Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show is one of the industry’s largest events each year, bringing together cattlemen and cattlewomen from across the nation to do the work of our industry. This event is the premier event for the beef cattle business! Unfortunately, the current pandemic presents challenges that make bringing people together in February difficult. …

Carving Halloween Pumpkins is a Tradition

Why carving Halloween pumpkins is a tradition.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The history of Halloween as we know it is based on an ancient Celtic holiday known to honor the deceased. Celts believed that from dusk on October 31 until the dusk of November 1, souls of those who had died that year would pass on, …

Cotton Board Appointments Announced by USDA

(CB) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 13 members, 13 alternate members, and one advisor to serve on The Cotton Board.  These appointees will serve three-year terms, ending December 31, 2023. Newly appointed members are: Ben B. Guthrie, Producer – LA; and Thomas Hayes III, Producer – MS. Newly appointed alternate members are: Matthew Cauzza, …

FDOC Offers 2020-21 Citrus Season Outlook

Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist Marisa Zansler recently broke down the expected utilization of the 57 million boxes of oranges Florida is forecast to produce in the 2020-21 season. She also offered projections for utilization of grapefruit and specialty fruit, and made other economic projections in her outlook for the season. ORANGESAbout 96 percent of the orange crop is …

Stabenow Leads Opposition against USDA Decision on Dairy Aid

(NAFB) — Senate Ag Committee Member Debbie Stabenow is leading a group of 15 senators asking Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to reverse a decision that excluded dairy farmers from getting coronavirus aid for losses from meat produced from breeding animals. The Hagstrom Report says the senators point out that losses from meat produced from breeding animals were included in the …

Fewer Loans Issued to Farmers Limits Overall Lending Activity

The Kansas City Federal Reserve says a slower pace of farm financing activity continued in the third quarter of 2020. The total volume of non-real estate farm loans remained subdued amid ongoing weakness in the ag sector, thanks in part to developments regarding COVID-19. The National Survey of Terms of Lending to Farmers, confirmed by statistical research from same day …

New Rule Makes Enhancements to Environmental Quality Incentives Program

(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The rule updates USDA’s flagship program as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and integrates feedback from agricultural producers and others.  “This final rule enables us to continue helping producers manage their land in the most beneficial ways possible,” said Kevin Norton, acting Chief of USDA’s …

Best Ways to Pick Your Halloween Pumpkin

The best ways to pick your Halloween pumpkin.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Pumpkins, which are members of the squash family, produce fruits in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You could pick a pumpkin from the grocery store, but you’ll get a fresher and more interesting selection at a pumpkin farm. Many farms grow different types of …

Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 10-23-2020

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended October 23, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ending October 23, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 14,300 head compared to 14,827 last week and …

Report Released on Agricultural Trade between the U. S. and China

(USDA) — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today issued a report highlighting the progress made to date in implementing the agricultural provisions in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement, which is delivering historic results for American agriculture. Since the Agreement entered into force, the United States and China have …