NCBA Commends Secretary Perdue For Swift Action In Expanding Investigation Into Cattle Markets

(NCBA) — NCBA President Marty Smith released the following statement on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement of expanding the agency’s investigation into cattle markets: “I would like to thank President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for their quick response to NCBA’s request to expand the agency’s investigation into cattle markets. Secretary Perdue’s decision …

Reasons Why Leaves on Your Plants Turn Yellow

Cathy Isom reviews some reasons why the leaves on your plants are turning yellow.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In most cases a plant’s leaves are supposed to be green, with the obvious exceptions, of course. Yellowing leaves can be caused by a number of factors, and typically signal that your plant is in some kind of …

Pandemic Causes Some Stockyards To Suspend Sales

(ALFA) — Several Alabama stockyards suspended cattle auctions this week to protect employees and customers and help control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Scott Garrett, an owner of Mid State Stockyards, LLP in Letohatchee, said he and several stockyard owners in Alabama talked before suspending sales this week. Because stockyards are classified as essential, he said closures were made by …

Efforts Continue to Produce Peanut Products

The American Peanut Council (APC) fully supports the U.S. peanut industry as it continues to deliver safe, nutritious products to the world during this difficult time. As Tyron Spearman reports, manufacturers are working hard to ensure the health and safety of employees while continuing to maintain production and shipment of healthy and nutritious products.  With more and more Americans facing temporary economic instability, …

UF/IFAS Offers More Resources for Growers

(UF/IFAS) — UF/IFAS Extension is collaborating with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to compile a list of farms, distributors, and farmers markets selling Florida-grown food directly to final consumers. The intention is to build a directory of sellers who are moving Florida-grown foods to consumers during the market disruptions caused by COVID-19. The list may include …

NCBA Requests President Trump Expand USDA Market Investigation

(NCBA) — NCBA President Marty Smith sent a letter to President Donald Trump, requesting the government to act quickly to investigate the striking disparity between boxed beef prices and cattle prices in the futures and cash markets during the current COVID-19 crisis and following the packing plant fire in Holcomb, Kan., last August.   In his letter, Smith requests President Trump to …

AFBF on CARES Act SBA Loans

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says producers are ineligible for some CARES Act Small Business Association loans, but eligible for others. AFBF Congressional Relations Director, RJ Karney, says they believe farmers can’t participate in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, but do qualify for paycheck assistance.  “As of now, AFBF’s interpretation of the rule is, farmers are eligible to …

Deadline Nearing for Input on RCPP Rule

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been seeking public comments on its interim rule for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), but the deadline to make comments is April 13. RCPP helps partners develop and implement unique conservation solutions that engage farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The 2018 Farm Bill made it a stand-alone program with its own dedicated …