The Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier are encouraging horse owners to vaccinate for Eastern Equine Encephalits (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, “WNV is a significant health threat to horses because it can cause severe neurological diseases. Most cases occur during mosquito season, which …
United Kingdom Embassy Farm Tour Stop Hosted by NCBA
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hosted one of the tour stops on a United Kingdom Embassy Farm Tour at Whitestone Farm in Virginia. During the tour stop, stakeholders from Virginia and the United Kingdom met for a round table discussion and included Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Rt. Hon. Emma Reynolds MP, Virginia Agriculture Secretary …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Appreciative of Federal Disaster Declaration
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has shared his appreciation for the federal disaster declaration for the recent freeze event. The USDA Disaster Declaration signed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will provide support for Florida agriculture producers impacted by freeze effects. Commissioner Simpson said, “I appreciate President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for always …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Outgoing President Shares Thoughts on Prior Year
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association transitioned officers during their Annual Convention and Trade Show last week in Mobile and we caught up with Outgoing President Keith Glover who shared the highlights over the past year. Glover said, “Probably the highlight for me was getting to travel to several different counties, not as many as I would have liked to had. The people …
Georgia Commissioner of Ag Shares Details on Processing of Hurricane Block Grant Applications
With the announcement of the Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program, we sat down with Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper to learn how applications for recovery dollars will be processed. Commissioner Harper said, “The way we’re going to work this is obviously the application period will be open for six weeks. Once we close that application period, we’ll know at that …
Farm Surveys Coming To Producers Mailboxes Soon
As acreage surveys begin arriving in farm mailboxes across rural America, there’s a lot of skepticism about USDA production numbers that still echo from last January. Lance Honing, chair of the agricultural statistics board, says the 2026 acreage survey collection period now ramping up. Farmer participation, he says, more important than ever, but he’s concerned fewer farmers may participate, especially if they’re frustrated. In June, …
AFBF Raises Concerns Regarding Fertilizer Availability and Pricing Amid Iran Military Actions
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is raising concerns relating to fertilizer supply and pricing in the wake of military conflict in Iran. On a call with media earlier this week, AFBF President Zippy Duvall, South Carolina Farm Bureau President Harry Ott, AFBF Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Analysis John Newton and AFBF Economist Faith Parum provided a …
America’s Westward Expansion and the Transformation of Agriculture
New Opportunities After 1803 Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the American victory in the War of 1812, the United States entered a period of remarkable territorial and economic expansion. These pivotal events reshaped the nation’s future, opening vast new lands to settlement and agricultural development. At the same time, major transportation improvements were transforming the American economy. The …
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Shares Further Details on the Hurricane Helene Block Grant
Georgia producers impacted by Hurricane Helene will be able to apply for disaster relief through the Hurricane Helene Block Grant beginning March 16th. We caught up with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper to learn more. Commissioner Harper said, “The Department of Agriculture and USDA reached a final agreement on our block grant and our work plan and starting on Monday, March …
UGA Beef Team Hosting NWS Webinar
The University of Georgia Beef Team is hosting a webinar for livestock producers on the New World Screwwormon March 19, 2026. We caught up with Raymond Fitzpatrick, ANR Agent in Franklin County to learn more about this upcoming webinar. Fitzpatrick said, “We are working on a New World Screwworm webinar for preparedness to make sure that our producers across the state are …










