Farmer sentiment took a downturn at the start of 2024 as the January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell to a reading of 106, eight points below a month earlier. Compared to year-end, producers had a more negative outlook of their farms’ current situation along with a weakened outlook for the future. The Current Conditions Index fell nine …
USDA Provides over $75 Million in State and National Projects Regarding Agriculture and Natural Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its investment of more than $75 million to state and national projects regarding agriculture and natural resources. More than $5 million will be dedicated to the state of Florida and more than $70 million will be utilized towards protecting the United States from invasive plants and species. FLORIDA FUNDING The USDA’s Animal …
Industry Leader Bill Northey Passes
Bill Northey, a long-time agriculture industry figure, and former USDA official in the Trump administration, has died. The 64-year-old was serving as the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. Northey grew up on an Iowa family farm. He has served as President of the National Corn Growers Association, three terms as the Iowa Agriculture Secretary, and as USDA Farm …
Vilsack on Food as Medicine
The ag secretary discusses food as medicine. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provides his views on the subject of “Food is Medicine” during a Health and Human Services Department summit of the same name. “My point of view is, I think, somewhat couched by the fact that I lost my parents at a …
Farmers Can Now Pay Farm Loans Online
An easier way to make your farm loan payments. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online. It’s through the new Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov that goes live in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline …
Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small Continues College Tour with Visit to University of Florida
Visit underscores Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to Land-Grant Institutions, Includes Specialty Crop Roundtable The visit is part of Deputy Secretary Torres Small’s College Tour, which began earlier this month, and continues over several weeks. (GAINESVILLE, FL, Jan. 26, 2024) – U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited the University of Florida (UF) on Friday, January 26, to highlight the U.S. Department …
Newest Farm Bureau Location Shows Popularity of Urban Ag
It’s one of the nation’s largest cities, and now San Francisco is part of the farm bureau federation. It’s technically San Francisco County that is the newest part of the California Farm Bureau, but there’s only one city in that county – San Francisco. With the growing popularity of urban agriculture, it makes sense that the city by the bay …
NCBA Keeps Close Eye on Proposed USDA Rulemaking
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane says he’s keeping an eye on proposed USDA rulemaking for the beef industry. “We’re watching with some concern some of what we’re seeing coming out of USDA. Obviously, they continue to be very focused on what they’re calling their competition agenda,” he said. Lane said NCBA believes that competition …
Ag Industry Watching D.C. Budget Battle
Even as Congressional leaders announced a deal on some appropriations for fiscal year 2024 on Sunday, Jan. 7, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane said the industry is watching D.C. “All of agriculture is watching the debate over government funding playing out on Capitol Hill at the moment. That first tranche of the Continuing …
Government Shutdown Continued Threat is Toxic for Ag Businesses
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 …