The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is improving two of its most comprehensive risk management safety net programs. USDA announced the improvements for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm, making them more accessible to farmers. The improvements include doubling the maximum insurable revenue under Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, now $17 million, more than tripling the size of farm operations eligible for …
‘Tool Time’ Tax Holiday in Florida Starts Saturday
If you have a few projects around the farm in you need to get started on but keep putting them off, then now’s the time to get serious about them. Florida’s first “tool time” sales-tax holiday on tools and other home-repair and construction items will kick off this weekend. According to the News Service of Florida (NSF), the seven-day holiday …
Interest Expense Ratio for Agriculture Stays Even with 20-year Average
USDA’s Economic Research Service reports the interest expense ratio of farms was 0.04 in 2020, remaining in line with the long-term trend and initial forecasts, despite the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand for agricultural commodities. The interest expense ratio is calculated by dividing interest expenses by the sum of the value of production and Government payments for a given …
Ag Credit Conditions Stay Strong As Risks Grow
The Kansas City Fed says agricultural credit conditions remained strong in the second quarter, but slower improvement is expected during the months ahead. Those bankers who responded to the Federal Reserve Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions say farm income continued to increase. However, the pace of increase slowed in recent quarters, and further softening is expected going forward. Farm loan …
Two Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(USDA/FSA/WASHINGTON, D.C./August 25, 2022) — This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming …
More Resources to Help Underserved Farmers
A new program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is designed to support projects that help underserved producers. According to a story from Gary Crawford, the program supports projects that enable producer’s access to land, capital and markets. The new $550 million USDA program also includes $250 million for the “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food …
USDA Forecasts More Milk Production, Lower Prices
USDA’s latest adjustments in milk production and price forecasts reflect a rise in milk production, and lower prices. Rod Bain has the story. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discusses the latest changes in USDA’s August milk product and class price forecasts. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports …
Farmland Prices, Equipment Sales Decline in Monthly Index
Farmland prices and farm equipment sales declined in the August Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index. The overall index fell for the fifth straight month, for August slumped to 44.0 from 46.0 in July. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. The region’s farmland price index for August declined to 60.0 from July’s …
How Poultry Grower Contracting and Compensation Works
USDA recently announced the public comment period had been extended for proposed rule on greater transparency in poultry contracting and the poultry tournament system. This system is unlike any other part of farming, and Rod Bain talked to a USDA official who describes how it works. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle …
President Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Bill into Law
President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law this week. As Gary Crawford reports, the Agriculture Secretary says the law has many benefits for rural America. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the …