In the second quarter of 2021, money that had been diverted by COVID-19 from travel and other activities into the small tractor market began to return to normal use. But, sustained gains in commodity prices have resulted in farmers continuing their buying sprees for larger tractors and harvesters, as shown in AEM’s monthly Ag Tractor and Combine reports. The under-40 …
Beef Herd Downsizing Might Send Cattle Prices Rising
If you are wondering what the market effects of the current gradual downsizing of the beef cattle herd might be, Gary Crawford has a story to help answer that question. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski gives the latest forecasts for U.S. meat production and meat exports. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed …
Pandemic Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Contract Producers and Specialty Crop Growers Updated by USDA
USDA Sets October 12 Deadline for CFAP 2 (WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2021) —The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part …
Propane Prices Heading Higher
Liquid Propane (LP) prices in the U.S. could be heading higher based on current supply/demand factors. A Successful Farming article says that could mean higher corn drying costs for farmers this fall. Looking ahead to the LP market environment for grain drying in the fall, analysts are said to be using descriptions like “train wreck” and “tug-of-war.” The rising LP …
Overall Bankruptcy Rates Dropping
Despite challenges from COVID-19 and bad weather, higher commodity prices and government support have finally turned the tide around on year-over-year increases in Chapter 12 bankruptcies. The American Farm Bureau looked at data from the U.S. Courts from June 2020 through June 2021 and found there were 438 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings, down 24 percent. The number of Chapter 12 …
Milk Prices below Expectations, Could Go Lower Next Year
Earlier this month, it was announced that the June margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program dropped 65 cents from May’s margin to $6.24/cwt, which will generate a June payment of $3.26/cwt for $9.50/cwt coverage. So dairy operators are getting the benefits of the DMC program this year, and according to a story from Gary Crawford, that may continue in 2022. …
USDA Unveils New Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced details of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program. Through the new program, USDA will provide about $350 million in pandemic assistance payments to dairy farmers who received a lower value for their products due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic. The assistance is part of a larger package including permanent improvements …
Milk Prices Below Expectations, Could Go Lower Next Year
Earlier this month, it was announced that the June margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program dropped 65 cents from May’s margin to $6.24/cwt, which will generate a June payment of $3.26/cwt for $9.50/cwt coverage. So dairy operators are getting the benefits of the DMC program this year, and according to a story from Gary Crawford that may continue in …
Retail Fresh Fruit Prices Drop in July
Retail prices for fresh fruit are coming down, but are still considerably higher than a year ago. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Legislation Designed to Improve Livestock Assistance
North Dakota Republican John Hoeven and Montana Democrat Jon Tester introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate to improve livestock disaster assistance. The Hagstrom Report says the bill is designed to accomplish several things, including aligning coverage between the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP). It will also increase producer assistance under LFP to compensate them more …