Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces USDA Disaster Relief for Florida

Dan Economy, Florida, Forestry, Industry News Release

(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $380.7 million in federal block grant funding for Florida farmers devastated by Hurricane Michael, including direct relief for timber producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will administer the USDA block grants alongside the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Through consistent engagement with USDA officials, Florida …

Update on Second MFP Payment Tranche

Dan Economy

On Thursday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue gave an update on a potential second tranche of payments to producers under a USDA tariff mitigation program. Rod Bain has the details. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

China Urges Trump to Lift Tariffs

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

(NAFB) — China wants the United States to commit to lifting tariffs to reach a phase one trade agreement. The South China Morning Post reports Beijing needs America to be more responsive to its concerns, if it wants Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the U.S. to sign the deal. There’s been no firm commitment by the U.S. to delay …

COUNTRY Financial Invests in Agriculture

Dan Alabama, Economy, Georgia, News from Our Sponsors

COUNTRY Financial continues to invest in agriculture in many states, including Alabama and Georgia. Their Farm Underwriting Manager, Craig Conroy, recently discussed with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman how the company started, and why they find it valuable to visit and know what is going on at each farm they serve. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata …

Agriculture Appropriations Pass the Senate

Dan Economy, Legislative

Funding for fiscal year 2020 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture was part of a mini-omnibus spending bill passed by the Senate last week. Rod Bain has the story. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Lawmakers Working to Complete Funding Package

Dan Cotton, Economy

This week in the Senate, lawmakers have been working to complete a funding package that includes four of the appropriations bills for the new fiscal year. One of those bills funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agricultural programs. National Cotton Council Vice President of Washington Operations, Reece Langley, shares his outlook on this round of the appropriations process. Sponsored …

Farm Bankruptcies up 24 Percent Since Trade War Start

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — Farm bankruptcies are at the highest level seen since 2011. Data compiled by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows farm bankruptcies surged 24 percent since the trade war with China began. For the 12-month period ending September 2019, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies totaled 580 filings, the highest level since 676 filings in 2011. AFBF Chief Economist John Newton …

House Agriculture Committee Approves Bipartisan CFTC Reauthorization

Dan Economy, General, Industry News Release

The House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 4895, a bill to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee Ranking Member Austin Scott (GA-8) released the following remarks upon passage: “This reauthorization provides the CFTC with the tools it needs to successfully regulate the U.S. derivatives market, safeguard consumers, …

Farm Legacy Planning Through COUNTRY Financial

Dan Economy

COUNTRY Financial invests in the future of ag, and advance financial planning is an important part of any operation. Tom Royer, senior financial specialist at COUNTRY Financial, talked with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman about Farm Legacy Planning, and why having conversations with the whole family is important to plan for the family farm’s future. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, …