(NSF/Tallahassee, FL) — One of Florida’s most-powerful lawmakers and a North Miami Democrat touting a grassroots campaign are competing in the November 8th election to become state agriculture commissioner. Outgoing Republican Senate President Wilton Simpson has more name recognition, political connections and funding as he goes up against Naomi Blemur, the first Haitian-American to be a major-party candidate for a …
Ag Economy Barometer Declines Again
Farmer sentiment weakened again in October as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to a reading of 102, down ten points compared to a month earlier. Both of the barometer’s sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations declined. The Current Conditions Index dipped eight points to a reading of 101, while the Future …
Deere Moving Production from China to Louisiana
John Deere announced it is investing $29.8 million to begin manufacturing harvesters in the United States instead of China. Louisiana’s state development agency says the agricultural manufacturer is expanding an already-existing factory in the state and adding another 70 jobs. “This investment by Deere and Company demonstrates not only the strength of Louisiana’s manufacturing sector but the resilience and recovery …
USDA Grant Signed to Connect Florida Schools with Underserved Farmers/Producers
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Nov. 1, 2022) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the signing of a $11.4 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). The program provides grant funds to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness (FNW) to connect underserved farms with Florida schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) …
Keeping an Eye on the Dollar Index
Many traders are keeping an eye on the dollar index. Mark Oppold explains where it currently stands and what they are watching for. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
U.S. Railway Strike Looming
Reports are saying a U.S. railway strike is imminent after the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen union voted last week against ratification of the National Tentative Agreement reached on September 15. Just over 60% of their voting members voted not to approve. The BRS negotiated this round of bargaining as a member of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) and later the United Rail …
Cathy Burns to Speak at Florida Ag Expo
The Florida Ag Expo is Wednesday, Nov, 2nd from 7:30am until 5:00pm at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, FL. Those attending will want to catch the morning general session, which will tackle the big issues impacting specialty crops. Cathy Burns, chief executive officer of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), will be speaking on trends impacting the produce industry. …
Preliminary Damage Assessment for Florida Agriculture Following Hurricane Ian
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Oct. 24, 2022) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried released the FDACS preliminary damage assessment for agriculture following Hurricane Ian. The assessment considered losses to agriculture production and infrastructure and are estimated between $1,180,714,303 and $1,888,305,886. “While today’s assessment is a preliminary snapshot of the losses to Florida agriculture, it is a critical first step …
Farmers Can Now Make 2023 Crop Year Elections
Producers can now change election and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year, two key safety net programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Producers have until March 15, 2023, to enroll in these two programs. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has started issuing payments totaling more …
Farmers, Ag Organizations Against EPA Proposal
More than 16,000 farmers and agricultural organizations recently united against EPA’s proposed revision to its 2020 atrazine registration review decision. The farmers and agricultural organizations representing corn, citrus, grain sorghum, sugar cane, and other crops, submitted comments calling for the agency to base decisions on credible scientific evidence. Efforts to help farmers speak out against the proposal were coordinated by …