Alabama Farmers Concerned with Input Prices, Labor

Dan Alabama, Economy, Labor and Immigration

We’ve talked before about the rising input prices, and how this will affect many decisions heading into the 2022 planting season. Various surveys have indicated that this is a top concern for many farmers this year. Alabama Extension Cotton Agronomist Steve Brown, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), agrees. He told Southeast AgNet this is something many growers have discussed with him, …

USDA Forecasts Higher Beef Production, Prices

Dan Beef, Cattle, Economy, Exports/Imports, Marketing

Beef production is up, while production of other meat types is down. Stephanie Ho has a story explaining why. She also looks at how USDA, during its latest look at meat trade, raised the forecast for U.S. beef exports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received …

U.S. Ag Tractor Sales Positive Across the Board

Clint Thompson Economy

U.S. tractor and combine unit sales returned to positive numbers across all segments, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. America’s total farm tractor sales grew 9.2% in February compared to 2021, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales for the month inched up 3.1% to 200 units sold. The 100+ horsepower two-wheel-drive segment once again led all …

Bank Farm Lending Stabilizes

Dan Economy

Farm debt at commercial banks showed signs of stabilizing at the end of 2021. Driven by a higher balance of real estate and non-real estate loans, agricultural debt increased for the first time since 2019. The Kansas City Federal Reserve says while the pullback in lending abated, agricultural loan balances remained below the recent historic average. Farm real estate loans …

Support to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion

Dan Beef, Cattle, Economy, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $215 million in grants and other support are being made available to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. As Rod Bain reports, this funding opportunity is one of many actions that USDA is taking to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and …

Florida Lawmakers Hoping to Finalize Budget Issues

Dan Cattle, Economy, Florida, Legislative, Regulation

As Florida lawmakers continue to finalize many issues in week eight of the Florida Legislative Session, the budget continues to be the major topic of discussion. According to Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs Sam Ard, negotiators from both the House and Senate have been working out some of the high profile spending issues in what is being described as a …

Peanut Market is Sleepy

Dan Economy, Peanuts

The peanut market was discussed during a recent event. And according to Tyron Spearman, it was described as “sleepy” right now. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida 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 …

Deadline to Enroll in 2022 Dairy Margin Coverage is March 25

Dan Dairy, Economy, USDA-FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy producers the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and the new Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) for 2022 is March 25, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC and SDMC signup in December 2021 to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. Producers …

NRCS Offers Conservation Funding Opportunities

Dan Conservation, Economy, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants producers and landowners to know there are various fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities available for key programs. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says while there are batching period signups that take place from time to time, they …

Farmer Sentiment Rises during Commodity Price Rally

Dan Economy

The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose six points in February to 125, matching the sentiment reading from December. A more optimistic view of future conditions pushed the sentiment measure higher as the Index of Future Expectations rose ten points in February to 122, the most positive reading regarding the future by farmers since last August. The Index of …