(NMPF) — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is pleased that farmers who run their operations as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or otherwise self-employed individuals will have newly expanded access as soon as today to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under changes made in the COVID stimulus package Congress approved last month. Producers who were denied PPP loans or whose …
Regulations for Future Oversight of Animal Ag Biotechnology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will soon have oversight of parts of federal regulations regarding food and fiber animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. Rod Bain has the story. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach, discusses the history of federal animal biotechnology regulatory oversight, leading up to a recent announcement of USDA taking over …
Farmers to Families Food Box Program Purchases to Continue
(USDA/AMS) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase an additional $1.5 billion worth of food for nationwide distribution through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. In total, USDA has distributed more than 132 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This new round of …
December 2020 Dairy Market Report
The December 2020 Dairy Market Report is now available and it indicates that 2020 continues to bring turbulent headwinds to dairy demand, which the industry has survived with heightened government support and robust export markets. The new Dairy Management, Inc. report indicates total domestic commercial use of dairy products posted a small gain during the August–October period, despite the pandemic’s …
Farm Bureau Stepping Up in Dean Foods Legal Proceedings
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is getting involved in the Dean Foods legal proceedings. The major dairy processor filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in November of 2019. Dairy farmers who had previously sold milk to the company have been sent letters demanding repayment of previous milk checks. In the letters, producers are being threatened with legal action if they …
AFBF Stands Up for Farmers in Predatory Shakedown
WASHINGTON, December 4, 2020 – The American Farm Bureau Federation is standing up for hundreds of dairy farmers being targeted by predatory lawyers representing the estate of Dean Foods, which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. Almost 500 dairy farmers who once sold milk to Dean Foods received letters threatening legal action unless they refund money legitimately earned prior to the bankruptcy filing. …
FSA Administrator: Signup for DMC Ends December 11
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy producers that the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for calendar year 2021 is just a week away. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC signup in October to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce told Southeast AgNet, signup for …
APHIS Announces Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health
(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding $14.4 million to 76 projects with states, universities, and other partners to strengthen our programs to protect animal health. This critical funding supports projects focused on increasing practical livestock biosecurity measures or advancing rapid depopulation and disposal abilities to be used during high- …
Dairy Herd Size, Milk Production Going Up
The latest USDA milk production report added weight to forecasts for a substantial increase in milk output next year. Gary Crawford has the details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardMay 29, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funding Crucial For Forage DevelopmentMay 22, 2026Florida Cattle …
Farm Bureau Survey: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down 4%
(AFBF) — Thanksgiving celebrations will look different for many Americans this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatherings are likely to be fewer and farther between, with social distancing and perhaps even remote family get-togethers. One tradition that continues this year is the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. …