Higher prices for Christmas trees were found in many parts of the country this year. A combination of environmental factors, a tight supply of trees, strong demand and pandemic-related issues with shipping and trucking meant higher prices. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received …
Deadline Extended to Apply for Pandemic Support for Organic Operations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week announced they have extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 eligible expenses was Jan. 7, 2022 but it’s been extended to Feb. 4, 2022. OTECP …
Various Issues Pushing Up Pork Prices but Not Profits
A report issued this week notes retail pork prices are rising, but not industry profits. Economists with Iowa State University, North Carolina State University and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says prices are rising due to increased transportation costs, supply bottlenecks and delays and increased labor costs throughout the pork chain. Those factors were either caused or exacerbated by …
GPC Provides Comments at Roundtable Regarding Transportation and Supply Chain Issues
(TIFTON, Ga./Dec. 17, 2021) — Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) executive director Don Koehler participated in a roundtable discussion on Friday with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Port Envoy John Porcari and the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah, Georgia. Koehler provided comments regarding infrastructure issues, rising costs of inputs and the need for education regarding career opportunities in the trucking …
A Huge Cut in Government Payments to Farmers in 2021
We told you earlier this week that the final farm income picture for 2021 is shaping up even better than had been expected. USDA’s Economic Research Service recently updated their farm sector profit projections, which are now forecast to increase this year. But according to a story from Gary Crawford, farmers this year are getting a much smaller share of their income …
DeSantis Pitches $99.7 Billion Budget
(NSF-TALLAHASSEE/Dec 9, 2021) — Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education, the environment and law-enforcement officers while giving motorists a temporary gas-tax break. The proposal, which came as DeSantis runs for a second term in November, will be a starting point for …
Net Farm Income Forecast to Rise
USDA has raised their projections for net farm income in 2021. Tyron Spearman has the story. 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 In Research Efforts Funded by …
AEM Reports Optimism for Construction and Ag in 2022
While the U.S. and global economies have continued to grow, the pace has slowed over the second half of 2021. But in the construction and agriculture equipment industries, stronger-than-expected growth this year has many manufacturers feeling optimistic about 2022. According to results from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) fall member survey, more than 80 percent of their members anticipate rising demand …
USDA Opens 2022 Sign-up for Dairy Margin Coverage
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened sign-up for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and notes they’ve expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling supplemental production. Supplemental DMC will help small and mid-sized dairy operations that have increased production over the years but were not able to enroll the additional production. …
Farmer Sentiment Weakens on Cost Concerns
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped five points in November to a reading of 116, as producers continue to be pessimistic about both the current and future outlook of the agricultural economy. Farmers are facing sharp increases in their cost of production that coincide with fluctuating crop and livestock prices. Other issues of concern are the prospect of …