(NCBA) — NCBA President Marty Smith released the following statement on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement of expanding the agency’s investigation into cattle markets: “I would like to thank President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for their quick response to NCBA’s request to expand the agency’s investigation into cattle markets. Secretary Perdue’s decision …
Pandemic Causes Some Stockyards To Suspend Sales
(ALFA) — Several Alabama stockyards suspended cattle auctions this week to protect employees and customers and help control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Scott Garrett, an owner of Mid State Stockyards, LLP in Letohatchee, said he and several stockyard owners in Alabama talked before suspending sales this week. Because stockyards are classified as essential, he said closures were made by …
The Day South Florida Agriculture Changed
Submitted by Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus with UF/IFAS “Up to the end of Feb our growers were having a banner year and it looked like this season would be one of those homeruns that come around every 5-6 years.” Here is a report that I prepared on the state of S Florida ag and shared with …
NCBA Requests President Trump Expand USDA Market Investigation
(NCBA) — NCBA President Marty Smith sent a letter to President Donald Trump, requesting the government to act quickly to investigate the striking disparity between boxed beef prices and cattle prices in the futures and cash markets during the current COVID-19 crisis and following the packing plant fire in Holcomb, Kan., last August.  In his letter, Smith requests President Trump to …
NCBA Working to Make Things Better for Cattle Producers
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) staff has been busy dealing with various issues in response to the COVID-19 crisis the past few weeks. NCBA President, Marty Smith from Florida, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are all working to make things better for cattle producers. To learn more about any of those efforts, go to the NCBA website. Sponsored …
Crop and Livestock Prices Plunge Under Weight of COVID-19 Uncertainty
(AFBF) — Updated analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows crop and livestock prices falling to levels that threaten the livelihoods of many U.S. farmers and ranchers. Shuttered schools, universities, restaurants, bars and cafeterias are no longer buying milk, meat, fruits, vegetables and other food, causing a downward spiral in crop and livestock prices. Nearby futures prices for nearly …
Florida Cattlemen’s Convention Coming in June
The 2020 Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Convention and Trade Show will take place June 22-25. And according to FCA Director of Field Services, Dusty Holley, while they are monitoring the COVID-19 situation, for now the convention is still full steam ahead. Learn more about the annual FCA Convention & Trade Show, at floridacattlemen.org. Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director …
NMPF Coronavirus Page Adds Resources for Dairy Employers, Veterinarians
(NMPF) — The National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) coronavirus webpage has added new information for farm employers and employees, as well as guidance for veterinarians, to help the dairy community keep up with evolving government and marketplace responses to coronavirus. Key new documents include: An NMPF/FARM Program-created guidance for farmers if an employee tests positive for COVID-19; NMPF’s two-page “What Farm Employers Need to …
Georgia Cattlemen’s Convention, Beef Expo is May 28-30
As we told you three weeks ago, the annual Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) Convention and Beef Expo, which was originally scheduled to be held this past weekend, had be postponed due to COVID-19. The rescheduled date is May 28-30. Here is GCC Executive Vice President, Dale Sandlin. For more information go to the GCA website. Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About …
Many Alabama Stockyards Not Operating This Week
Due to COVID-19, many in agriculture continue to deal with various factors affecting their operations. And for cattle producers. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Director, Erin Beasley, says they have learned many of the stockyards across Alabama will not be operating this week. For questions or concerns during this time, contact the ACA office in Montgomery, or go to their …