Back on March 24th, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2). It’s part of a larger effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reach a greater share of farming operations and improve USDA pandemic assistance. Secretary Vilsack told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they’ve been looking at ways to expand assistance to producers. Vilsack …
Ag Economy Barometer up 12 Points
The Ag Economy Barometer rose in March to 177, the highest reading for the barometer since the record high reading of 184 in October. Organizers say this month’s 12-point rise in the barometer was attributable almost entirely to ag producers’ more optimistic view of the future. The Index of Future Expectations climbed to 164, 16 points above February’s index. Although …
Relief Program for Alabama Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Michael
(ADAI) — Commissioner Rick Pate announced the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will be administering the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) to provide USDA relief funds to farmers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael. In 2018, Alabama’s Wiregrass experienced substantial economic losses due to severe agriculture damage caused by Hurricane Michael. “Our department has worked closely with …
Alabama Poultry Producers Receive Relief through CARES Act Funds
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many facets of agriculture, including the poultry industry. In Alabama, commercial poultry production employs more than 86,000 workers industrywide. For this reason, Alabama Extension professionals helped develop and execute a plan to put poultry producers on the map when Alabama CARES Act funds were distributed in the agricultural sector. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension …
Vilsack Discusses New Assistance for Cattle Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This is part of a larger effort to reach a greater share of farming operations and improve USDA pandemic assistance. Talking to farm broadcasters Wednesday afternoon, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the overall goal of the new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers package. He …
Equipment Manufacturers Report Positive Outlook for 2021
(NAFB) — Equipment Manufacturers report a positive outlook for 2021, according to a new survey by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The survey found 88 percent of manufacturers report a positive outlook for 2021, while more than half expect sales to increase or remain stable despite the ongoing impact of the global pandemic. The online survey was targeted to employees …
Ag Responds to USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers Funding
COVID-19 Aid Released and Expanded to Include More Producers (AFBF)Â —Â USDA announced its plans to distribute more than $12 billion under a program called Pandemic Assistance for Producers, which includes aid that had been put on hold as well as funds newly allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program assists farmers and ranchers who previously did not qualify for COVID-19 …
Funding Awarded to Help Small and Mid-Sized Farms on National Ag Day
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated National Ag Day by investing $11.5 million in research to help ensure America’s small and medium-sized farming operations remain viable and improve the quality of life in American farm communities. “Few groups are as resilient and as determined as American farm families,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is …
Oil Refining Trade Group Asking for Help with Rising Costs
(NAFB) — The price of renewable fuel credits in the U.S. hit new multi-year highs this week, and that has an oil refining trade group asking the White House for help in stabilizing the industry. Prices for the Renewable Identification Numbers have climbed all year as the costs of feedstocks like soybean oil continue to climb higher. Reuters says the …
Legislation Introduced to Repeal Federal Estate Tax
Federal lawmakers have introduced legislation that would repeal the federal estate tax, often referred to as the death tax. U.S. Senator John Thune and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop and Jason Smith recently introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021. The bipartisan legislation has the support of nearly 150 lawmakers in both houses of Congress. Multiple agricultural groups have also …