Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP UP) Act, which provides federal incentives to improve beef processing capacity. The RAMP UP Act authorizes federal grants up to $100,000 for existing meat processors to become federally inspected. Currently, state inspected and custom exempt processors cannot sell meat in interstate commerce …
Watching the Peanut Market
Tyron Spearman reports peanut farmers are watching the market closely, which right now, is doing good. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025
NCBA Leads Fight to Provide Additional Pandemic Relief for Cattle Producers
Last week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) sent a letter to leaders on Capitol Hill thanking them for their efforts in supporting our Nation’s cattle producers through the Coronavirus Aid, Response, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It also urged them to continue their work by improving the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan …
Hemp Growers Looking to Establish Checkoff
The National Industrial Hemp Council and the Hemp Industries Association entered into an agreement to look into the possibility of establishing a marketing checkoff program for hemp. “Today is another step forward in the right direction for hemp farmers and consumers of hemp-related products,” says Patrick Atagi (Ah-TAH-gee), board chair of NIHC. “A checkoff program would further legitimize a rapidly …
Farm Bureau Looking for “Farm Dog of the Year” Nominations
The American Farm Bureau is inviting farmers to submit nominations for the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest. This is the third year of the contest that celebrates farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers to produce nutritious food for families and their pets across America. The grand prize winner will receive a year’s worth of …
Cotton Scouting School Goes Digital, Set for July 24
By Katie Nichols For 60 years, Extension scientists taught the Scouting School in person and hands-on. But the 61st Cotton Scouting School is going digital — pushed to an online version because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The short course will be July 24 from 8 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Growers, consultants, scouts and others are encouraged to attend just as …
Peanut Stocks Are Down
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released the Peanut Stocks and Processing Report for the month of May. According to Tyron Spearman, the report shows stocks are dropping. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle …
Coalition Warns Congress About Shortage of Ag Inspectors
A coalition of more than 150 agricultural organizations is urging Congressional appropriators to close an estimated $630 million funding shortfall for Agricultural Inspectors at ports-of-entry. The coalition stated its case in a letter written to key members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Customs and Border Protection Specialists, Technicians, and Canine Teams inspect agricultural imports to prevent the entry …
Groups Request Hearing on Livestock Reporting Rule
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, the National Farmers Union, along with 11 other groups sent a letter to the Senate Ag Committee requesting a hearing on livestock mandatory price reporting reauthorization. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting Rule, first established in 1999, mandates price reporting for cattle, boxed beef, swine, and lamb. It’s reauthorized every five years, with the current program expiring on …
Farm Households Report Off-Farm Jobs Offer More Stable Income
New data from the Department of Agriculture shows nearly half of all family farmers and their spouses reported having a job off the farm in 2018. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports the majority of households, regardless of farm size, say they work off the farm because it is more lucrative than farm work, provides more reliable income and may offer …