USDA Announces Plan for Black Farmer Payments

Dan Economy, USDA-FSA

The USDA says it plans to make debt relief available to Black farmers. The announcement came one day before Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack participated in a roundtable discussion with Black farmers in Georgia. A spokesman says Vilsack will be traveling to other states to discuss the plan in the weeks ahead. Late last week, the Farm Service Agency published the …

Over $2.3 Million Invested in Small Business Innovation Research

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Technology

Small businesses play a vital role in driving innovation and technology advancements, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing over $2.3 million in such projects through its Small Business Innovation Research program. As the program aims to encourage participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses, it can greatly benefit …

Lower Broiler Supplies Leading to Higher Prices

Dan Economy, Poultry

Supplies of broilers and their products are lower than a year ago, but demand is growing. And according to a story from Gary Crawford, broilers and broiler products are fetching very high prices right now. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every AcreMarch 19, 2026Florida …

Record Florida Budget Awaits Governor’s Approval

Dan Economy, Florida, Legislative

When the 2021 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last Friday, it capped off a session where lawmakers passed a record $101.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1. According to the News Service of Florida, with the Covid-19 pandemic severely damaging the state’s economy last year, lawmakers feared they could face a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. But, …

Ag Economy Barometer Mostly Unchanged from April

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

The April Ag Economy Barometer was 178, virtually unchanged from a month earlier. Last month, the index stood at 177, and just five points below its all-time high of 183 set back in October. Compared to March, however, there was a small change in producers’ perspective on the ag economy as they became more optimistic about the future, while their …

NCBA Stands Ready to Fight for Sound Tax Policy

Dan Cattle, Economy, Legislative

We are hearing more reactions about the Biden Administration’s American Families Plan, especially concerning the several provisions of the tax code meant to raise approximately $1.5 trillion in revenue over the next 10 years. This week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) noted they have long advocated for sound tax policy for rural America. “Family-owned cattle operations, no matter the size, are …

Ag Businesses Report Favorable First Quarter Earnings

Clint Thompson Economy

Earning reports topped headlines on Wall Street this week, and agriculture businesses seem to be doing well. Syngenta reported first-quarter sales of $7.1 billion, up 20% for the same period last year. BASF reported first-quarter sales were up 16% to 19.4 billion euros, or $23.52 billion. AGCO reported sales for the first quarter were approximately $2.4 billion, an increase of …

Florida Buys 5,734 Acres From Alico

Dan Citrus, Economy, Florida

The state of Florida recently purchased approximately 5,734 acres of Alico Ranch for $14.4 million from Alico, Inc. The purchase was made under the Florida Forever program, pursuant to an option agreement between the state and the company earlier this fiscal year. “This is now the third sales transaction we have completed with the state of Florida within the last three years, …