First 2019 Dairy Safety Net Payment Triggered

Dan Dairy, Economy, Industry News Release

Enrollment Expected to Begin this Summer The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the January 2019 income over feed cost margin was $7.99 per hundredweight, triggering the first payment for eligible dairy producers who purchase the appropriate level of coverage under the new but yet-to-be established Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. DMC, which replaces …

Survey: Producers Less Optimistic Regarding Farm Economy

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer weakened in February as producers became less optimistic about current economic conditions and the commodity price outlook. The barometer, which is based on a survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers, declined seven points to a reading of 136, down from 143 in January. A rating below 100 is negative, while a rating above …

China, U.S. Nearing Trade Deal

Dan Economy, Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Trade

The U.S. and China are inching closer to an agreement on trade that could be reached this month, according to those close to the talks. Bloomberg reports an agreement could be reached and finalized later this month during a planned summit between China’s President and President Donald Trump. As part of the potential agreement, China would lower tariffs on agricultural …

Alfa Insurance Helps Customers Following Deadly Tornadoes

Dan Alabama, Economy, Industry News Release

Leveled homes, downed trees and collapsed barns bore witness to the strength of Sunday’s deadly tornadoes as Alfa Insurance responded to claims. “We’ve seen everything from where there used to be houses and only slabs are left, to a substantial equipment barn with 3- to 4-foot footings pulled out of the ground,” said Alfa Adjuster J.R. Jung. “This is a …

Georgia Leaders, Farmers Urge Congress To Pass Disaster Relief Package

Dan Economy, Georgia

Georgia leaders, farmers and elected officials are urging Congress to quickly pass the bipartisan disaster relief package introduced last week by U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA). President Trump, working with a bipartisan group of senators, has confirmed his support for disaster relief and encouraged Congress to pass legislation with funding for Georgia and other states that …

Georgia Ag Disaster Funding Update

Dan Economy, Georgia

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has announced they are hosting an Ag Disaster Update, Tuesday March 5 in Tifton. It will be held at 7:00pm at the UGA Tifton Conference Center. Both Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black have confirmed they will attend to provide updates on state and …

Farm Debt Levels Equaling 1980s Farm Crisis

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The amount of farm debt has risen rapidly to $409 billion. That’s up from $385 billion in 2018. U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says demand for loans remains “historically high.” A Reuters article says the strain on the American farm belt is becoming more and more comparable to the agricultural crisis of three decades ago. The strain is being caused …

Perdue Reiterates Need to Restore Original Intent of SNAP

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue reiterated during a U.S. Senate hearing the need to restore the original intent of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is to be a second chance and not a way of life. Secretary Perdue’s comments come on the heels of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishing in the Federal Register a proposed …