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 …
Florida Citrus Company Says Production Down, Prices Up
(TALLAHASSEE, FL/Dec. 7, 2021/The News Service of Florida) — The major Florida citrus company and landowner Alico, Inc. saw harvested boxes of fruit decrease during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 but got a boost from higher prices linked to consumer demand for orange juice, the company said in federal Securities and Exchange Commission filings released Tuesday. Alico said …
New Funding Awarded to Expand Commercial Export Markets
New funding was recently awarded to help expand the commercial export of U.S. agricultural products. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers …
High Fertilizer Costs to Extend into Spring Planting
A dramatic rise in fertilizer prices weighs heavily on U.S. crop farmers and input suppliers as they prepare for the 2022 planting season. Prices for nitrogen-based fertilizers commonly used for corn production have skyrocketed to all-time highs in recent months. Fertilizer price increases are driven by nitrogen production challenges, tight global supplies, rising natural gas costs and steady demand. According …
Limited Demand for Farm Loans, But Strong Profits for Ag Banks
Agricultural lending at commercial banks continued to decline but showed some signs of stabilizing in the third quarter. Data reported by the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank this week shows farm debt decreased at the slowest pace in two years. Non-real estate debt declined substantially slower than in recent quarters, and farm real estate loans increased slightly for the first …
Congress Approves Funding, Continues Ag Disaster Aid
Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown last week amid a GOP fight over the president’s vaccine policies, passing another stop-gap funding measure that continues farm disaster and pandemic aid. The new funding lasts only until February 18th, when lawmakers must again wrestle with funding for the rest of the current fiscal year. But until then, the second stop-gap bill in …
USDA Raises 2021 Farm Income Forecast
The final farm income picture for 2021 is shaping up even better than had been expected. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently updated their farm sector profit projections, which are now forecast to increase this year. Gary Crawford has more details. Spiro Stefano, ERS Administrator, outlines some of the changes in this new farm income forecast, compared to the last forecast three …
USDA Responds to Producer Needs by Updating Crop Insurance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are making updates to crop insurance in order to respond to the needs of agricultural producers, and this includes organic producers. Specifically, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is making permanent a new provision that allows producers to hay, graze or chop cover crops and still receive a full prevented planting payment. …
NCBA on Infrastructure Package
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Build Back Better bill, is an infrastructure package focused on creating American jobs, rebuilding our nation’s roads and bridges, and combatting the climate crisis. President Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law back in mid-November. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, says this …