We’re once again hearing talk of a possible government shutdown and one expert says the continued threat is toxic for ag businesses. With the threat of a government shutdown once again looming, Speaker Mike Johnson faces pushback from his own party over a potential spending deal with Democrats. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane is …
December 31 Deadline for USDA Loan Assistance Applications
The deadline is fast approaching for farmers who have done everything they can and simply remain behind on their loans and want some help. The Inflation Reduction Act provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at …
Food Insecurity in U.S. Households with Older Adults
More older adults are facing food insecurity. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In 2022, 9.1 percent of U.S. households with adults aged 65 and older were food insecure at some time during the year. The prevalence of food insecurity in households with adults aged 65 and older in 2022 was statistically significantly higher than the 7.1 percent …
Speakers Announced for Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting
The Georgia Cotton Commission has announced the guest speakers at the commission’s 2024 annual meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center. The program speakers are Micah Brown, staff attorney, National Agricultural Law Center; Bruce Atherley, executive director, Cotton Council International; and Jim Davis, CEO, Southern Cotton Growers. The GCC annual meeting …
Lawmakers Discuss Pesticide Regulations
The issue of pesticide regulation came up a few times during the House Agriculture Committee Member Day Hearing last week. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) was the first to give comments at the hearing and the first to broach the subject. He said state pesticide regulations need to fall in line with federal controls. “The ability to produce abundant feed, food, …
Lawmaker Takes on California’s Prop 12
California’s Prop 12 was once again in the spotlight before the House Agriculture Committee at last week’s “Member Day” hearing. The hearing allowed lawmakers who are not on the ag committee to promote some of their agricultural and nutrition priorities for the next farm bill. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, pointed to the costs for pork producers because of California’s Proposition …
USDA Now Accepting Applications for Farm Loans Online
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless. The online application also provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, …
Strong October U.S. Pork Exports, Modest Rebound for Beef Exports
According to new data from USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports posted another strong performance in October, led by record-large shipments to Mexico and broad-based growth elsewhere. And while beef exports in October remained well below last year’s large totals, there was improvement from September led by stronger demand in Mexico and Taiwan. …
Farm Bill, Specialty Crops Discussed During House Ag Member Day
The House Agriculture Committee met for Member Day, Wednesday, a day when all Members of the House are invited to share legislative interests and priorities with the Chairman and the Ranking Member. Chairman Glenn G.T. Thompson started the conversation by emphasizing how important the Farm Bill is. “Now, these men and women have struggled with fractured supply chains, considerable input …
Optimism in Christmas Tree Industry
There’s optimism about the future of the Christmas tree industry. Gary Crawford has more coming up on This Land of Ours. Ten to fifteen years ago Christmas tree growers were worried about the long-term future of their industry. Today that worry is changing into optimism. It seems more and more people are telling us that they are done with artificial …