The USDA conservation budget for next year could see what the Agriculture Secretary calls a “remarkable” increase. Gary Crawford has more details.
Bankers Report an 8.1 Percent increase in Farm Bank Lending
Despite numerous headwinds in 2022, agricultural lending by U.S. farm banks increased by 8.1 percent in 2022 to $103.1 billion. The American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report says the change is due to a 9.7 percent increase in outstanding loans secured by farmland and a 5.9 percent increase in agricultural and production loans. The report also says farmland …
U.S. Peanut Federation Joins Ag Groups Urging Help from Budget Committee
We told you yesterday that various agricultural groups are asking the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees for help this year. Tyron Spearman reports that one of those groups is the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF).
USDA Central America-Dominican Republic Trade Mission
USDA leaders visit Panama for a trade mission. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor arrived in Panama City Monday to launch a regional agribusiness trade mission. Taylor and the trade delegation on the trip look to develop stronger ties and build economic partnerships between the United …
Budget Committees Asked for Help
Various agricultural groups are asking the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees for help in 2023. Tyron Spearman has more details.
USDA Awards Funding to Protect U.S. Cattle from FMD
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last week awarded the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) with $445,400 in funding to advance the Secure Beef Supply Plan. The plan would go into effect in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the U.S. “NCBA is grateful for this critical funding to help continue defending the U.S. cattle herd from …
Keeping an Eye on the Fed
Many folks are keeping an eye on the Fed today, waiting to see what may come out of those meetings. Mark Oppold has more details.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on National Ag Day
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has a special message on this 50th Anniversary of National Agriculture Day. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement in celebration of the annual National Agriculture Day, Tuesday, March 21: “On this 50th National Ag Day, we recognize the contributions of American farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, forest landowners, and all agricultural producers in providing our nation …
AFBF Hails Bipartisan Effort to Freeze Wage Rate
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) urges Congress to pass legislation to freeze the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate, or AEWR. AFBF says the rate distorts labor costs for farmers across the country who hire nearly 400,000 employees through the H-2A program. The bipartisan Farm Operations Support Act temporarily resets the AEWR at 2022 levels, providing much need wage relief …
50th Anniversary of National Ag Day
Today is the 50th anniversary of National Agriculture Day, an event many around the country are celebrating. Southeast AgNet’s Will Jordon has more information.