The Kansas City Federal Reserve says a slower pace of farm financing activity continued in the third quarter of 2020. The total volume of non-real estate farm loans remained subdued amid ongoing weakness in the ag sector, thanks in part to developments regarding COVID-19. The National Survey of Terms of Lending to Farmers, confirmed by statistical research from same day …
Tighter Stocks Mean Higher Expected Prices for Major Crops
The latest reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicate that tighter than expected stocks of most major crops are leading to higher expected prices. Stephanie Ho has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober 24, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role in Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides …
Insurance, Water Issues on the Table for Legislative Session
(NSF) — Florida senators will be asked to eliminate the state’s no-fault auto insurance option and increase spending to repair the state’s natural springs, the incoming Senate president said Thursday. Senate President-designate Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, told business leaders that lawmakers meeting for the 2021 legislative session also will need to consider efforts to keep polluted Central Florida waters from flowing …
State Cattle Groups Support Cattle Market Transparency Act
More than a dozen state cattle organization voice their support for the Cattle Market Transparency Act. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leadership, 16 state cattle groups say the bill “will aid in cattle market transparency for all producers.” Led by the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, the group says, “our respective organizations do not ask for any type of market …
Increased Florida Department of Citrus Budget
On Oct. 21, the Florida Citrus Commission approved a revised 2020-21 operating budget for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) of nearly $19.8 million. The commission voted to sustain the preliminary budget set in June, prior to the October crop forecast, through a box assessment of ….. Read the full report about the increased Florida Department of Citrus budget on Citrus Industry …
Reuters: Payments to Farmers at All Time High
Direct payments to U.S. farmers are at an all-time high. Record government subsidies, much needed in the turbulent trade environment and coronavirus pandemic, are projected to make up more than a third of farm income in 2020. In a report by Reuters, the Environmental Working Group called agriculture aid in the latest COVID-19 relief package “old-fashioned vote-buying.” Farmers, facing steep …
ARC/PLC Enrollment for 2021 Underway
Enrollment in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year is underway. Tyron Spearman reports these key USDA safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops. For more information on ARC and PLC, including two online decision tools that assist producers in making enrollment and election decisions, …
China Leading U.S. Corn Buyer Early in Marketing Year
A recent buying spree means China is running away with the top spot on the U.S. corn buyer list six weeks into the marketing year. China has purchased 10.4 million tons for delivery during 2020-2021, twice as large as the sales to date for Mexico, which is usually the number one U.S. corn purchaser. “Our top customer for the current …
Farm Bureau Reviews State-Level Farm Income
The most recent Farm Income Forecast from USDA in early September provided an update on 2020 farm income projections, as well as the first estimates of state-level financial conditions in 2019. Farm cash receipts are forecast to hit a ten-year low in 2020. In 2019, gross farm income from selling crops and livestock, federal support, and other income combined were …
Foundation Applications Open For Hurricane Sally Assistance
The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF) is accepting applications through Nov. 30 from farmers who suffered losses related to Hurricane Sally. AFAF and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Foundation established a Hurricane Sally Relief Fund last month in response to calls from farmers and businesses who wanted to help their south Alabama neighbors. “When disaster strikes, I am always …