Florida Farm Bill

Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Previews the 2026 Florida Farm Bill

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson unveiled a preview of the 2026 Florida Farm Bill (SB 290) this week, outlining major initiatives aimed at protecting Florida’s agricultural industry and addressing key challenges faced by farmers and ranchers across the state. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Danny Alvarez, the legislation focuses on supporting and defending Florida agriculture, safeguarding rural …

National FFA Convention

National FFA Convention Kicks off Today in Indianapolis

98th National FFA Convention and Expo Kicks Off in Indianapolis The 98th National FFA Convention and Expo officially kicks off today in Indianapolis, Indiana, where FFA members from across the United States are gathering to celebrate agricultural education, leadership, and innovation. Running through November 1, this year’s event will host competitions, award ceremonies, service projects, and career exploration activities, all …

Alabama Cattlemen’s association

Alabama Cattlemen’s Scholarship Application Deadline Is Quickly Approaching

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation are once again investing in the future of agriculture through their annual scholarship program, and the application deadline is quickly approaching—Sunday, November 2. We spoke with Josie Jones from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, who shared more details about this impactful initiative: “The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation has an annual scholarship program where …

soybean

Soybean purchases by China Announced By Treasury Secretary

Over the weekend, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that China will be resuming their purchases of U.S. soybeans in an interview on CBS’s Face The Nation, saying “the soybean farmers will be extremely happy with this deal for this year and the coming years.” He also shared that, “The three leading suppliers are Brazil, Argentina and the United States, …

U.S.-UK trade

Secretary of Agriculture Releases Plan for Cattle Industry

USDA Unveils Plan to Strengthen the American Beef Industry U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has released a comprehensive plan to “strengthen the American beef industry, reinforcing and prioritizing the American ranchers’ critical role in the national security of the United States.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) emphasized that this new initiative is designed to stabilize markets, reduce volatility …

Trade discussions between the US and China may have significant impacts to agriculture. Agricultural markets across the Southeast are continuing to react to last week's summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where trade and agricultural purchases were major topics of discussion. Following the meetings in Beijing, reports indicated China may expand purchases of US agricultural products as part of broader efforts to stabilize trade relations after last year's tariff escalation disrupted export markets and commodity prices. That is especially important for Southeastern agriculture because commodities like cotton, peanuts, poultry, soybeans, and timber products all depend heavily on international demand and export movement. Market analysts say cotton producers in Georgia and Alabama are watching particularly closely since export sales remain one of the biggest drivers of cotton prices. Peanut growers are also monitoring negotiations because trade stability can influence global commodity movement and overall market confidence heading into harvest planning later this year. While no major new tariff rollbacks have been formally announced yet, agricultural groups are looking for signs that China could increase long-term purchasing commitments for American farm products in the coming months. Growers across the Southeast remain cautious, however, because many trade uncertainties that impacted commodity prices over the past two years remain unresolved. /audio Audio Reporting by Josh McGill for Southeast AgNet.

Rate Cut and China Trade Talks This Week

FedWatch Week and U.S.-China Trade Talks: Markets Brace for Rate Cut and Tough Negotiations This week marks a pivotal moment for both Wall Street and U.S. agriculture as FedWatch Week and U.S.-China Trade Talks overlap. Investors, traders, and policy analysts have been anticipating this period since the Federal Reserve Board meeting on September 16–17, and with no meeting scheduled for …

Ag Hall of Fame

Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers

A Tribute to America’s Agricultural Legacy Across the nation, countless halls of fame celebrate excellence — from sports and music to science and education. Agriculture, the backbone of America’s growth and prosperity, is no exception. The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, near Kansas City, stands as a living tribute to the pioneers, innovators, …

ncba

US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Schedules Confirmation Hearing Amid Shutdown

Senate Agriculture Committee to Consider USDA Nominees Amid Government Shutdown Despite the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry will move forward this week with a key confirmation hearing to review three nominees for leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “The US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman John Boozman, …

Farm Bill

FSA Offices Reopen

USDA Resumes FSA Operations, Allowing Peanut Farmers to Access Critical Loans After weeks of uncertainty caused by the government shutdown, the nation’s peanut farmers are finally getting some good news. The shutdown had prevented the industry from securing essential farm loans or placing peanuts in the loan program to receive the minimum price of $3.55 per ton. “Because of the …

justice

Justice Department and USDA Announce MOU to Protect Competition in Ag Markets

The US Department of Justice and the US Department of Agriculture have announced a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their partnership in an effort to protect competition in agricultural markets. The markets that they are targeting through this MOU includes feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment and other essential goods. Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust …