A group of Senators this week introduced a bipartisan bill to increase transparency in cattle pricing. Led by Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the legislation seeks to foster efficient markets while increasing competition and transparency among meatpackers who purchase livestock directly from independent producers. The bill will require that a minimum of 50% of a meat packer’s weekly volume of …
Southern Peanut Growers Conference Coming in July
The 22nd annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference will be held July 16-18, 2020 at the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida. According to Tyron Spearman, the three-day event will provide farmers with information about peanut production, legislative issues and more. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida …
Deadline Nearing to Sign Up For 2020 CSP in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind landowners the deadline to sign up for the 2020 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is May 29. Farmers, ranchers and private landowners are all encouraged to apply now for financial and technical assistance. Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone said, “NRCS works hard to help eligible farmers, ranchers and private landowners …
Losses in Agriculture Growing by the Day
Agriculture’s rescue needs in any new COVID-19 Congressional aid package are huge, well more than help already provided. Ag losses already in the billions are growing by the day, from meat plant shutdowns and retooling costs, to livestock losses, to crop and dairy losses in mountains of unsold and destroyed product. American Farm Bureau’s Andrew Walmsley says even the good …
Alfalfa in the South Survey
A recent collaboration between Auburn University, University of Florida and University of Georgia hoped to expand the use of alfalfa into forage-livestock production systems in the Southeast. Earlier this year, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) released the “Alfalfa in the South Online Series”, which contains information on topics related to establishment and management through environmental impacts and economics of …
AEM Releases April 2020 Ag Equipment Sales Numbers
Unit sales of agricultural tractors and combines in April 2020 rose in the U.S., according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The April increase puts total unit sales year to date roughly flat with 2019. Curt Blades, senior vice president of Ag Services for AEM, says, “The COVID-19 crisis is certainly causing some uncertainty in …
Peanut Crop Update
Tyron Spearman has an update on the progress of the 2020 peanut crop across the Southeast. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026
Peanut Pest Alert: Don’t Let Thrips Sneak up on you
Here’s timely information from Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Extension Professor), Kris Balkcom (Extension Specialist) and Dr. Scott Graham (Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist) from Auburn University. One of the earliest insect pests of peanuts includes the small flying insects called thrips. Thrips have bristly wings and can fly or ride the air currents over long distances. There are several species of thrips that …
Farm Bankruptcies are Rising
Recently released data from U.S. Courts show that farm bankruptcies increased 23% year-to-year. An American Farm Bureau Market Intel report shows a total of 627 filings took place during a 12-month period that ended in March of 2020. That makes five straight years of Chapter 12 bankruptcy increases, including a faster rate of filings since January of this year. Wisconsin …
NMPF on Falling Dairy Revenues
Lags in timing for milk payments have kept many dairy producers from feeling the worst of the coronavirus crisis’s effects on their revenues. But many in the industry expect the next round of milk payments will be much lower, mostly due to uncertainty. Recently on RFD-TV, National Milk Producer Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President of Communications Alan Bjerga explained why …