(AFBF) – Forty-eight agriculture groups are calling on Congress to expand USDA’s borrowing authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation. Congress must act to ensure the CCC has the authority and funding to assist farmers and ranchers facing serious cash flow challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter, addressed to both Senate and House leaders reads, “Farmers, ranchers and the supply chain …
Perdue: USDA Actively Monitoring Commodity Markets
(NAFB) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the Department of Agriculture is “actively monitoring all commodity markets and the flow of food.” The comments on Twitter come as a reply to industry requests last week that USDA protects commodity markets from manipulation. Perdue says, “We are paying special attention to the difference in prices from the farm gate to the …
NCBA Sends Letter to Capitol Hill Urging Relief for Cattle Producers
(NCBA) — In response to the ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement: “As the country reels both economically and emotionally from the spread of COVID-19, NCBA has been hard at work ensuring that cattle producers remain able to focus on the national …
Florida Lawmakers Pass $93.2 Billion Budget, Face Uncertainty
(NSF) — State lawmakers on Thursday approved a record $93.2 billion budget for next year, with attention already focused on a potential need to revisit the spending plan this summer as the novel coronavirus upends the economy. The budget (HB 5001), which takes effect July 1, was approved in a 104-0 vote by the House and a 32-0 vote by …
Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant Application Guide OPEN!
(GFVGA) — At the end of February, Governor Kemp announced details surrounding the $347 million in federal block grant funds that the state has secured to combat the devastation incurred by Hurricane Michael. The state will began accepting applications for block grant funds. Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties (see map below), who suffered losses to beef, dairy, …
IFAS Extension Monitoring Coronavirus
The University of Florida IFAS Extension has been closely monitoring developments with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please see the following resources from the University of Florida, the CDC, WHO, and Florida Department of Health. University of Florida Resources UF Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Positive Cases in Florida UF Health Coronavirus Updates Center for Disease Control (CDC) Resources Handwashing Communication Materials COVID-19 Communication …
USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. “More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “We need to support the next generation of agricultural producers who we …
Gains in Large Tractor Sales during February
(NAFB) — February 2020 saw mixed results in overall U.S. sales of tractors and self-propelled combines. The bright spot was four-wheel-drive and 100-plus horsepower tractors, which showed healthy gains year over year. However, overall tractor and combine sales fell for February, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales decreased 7.5 percent …
Sign-Up Deadline for ARC/PLC is Monday
The deadline for producers to enroll in the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs is Monday, March 16. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator, Richard Fordyce, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that they encourage producers to contact their local FSA county office today. So again, 2019 ARC/PLC enrollment ends March 16, 2020, while 2020 enrollment runs through June 30, 2020. For more …
Value of the 2019 Peanut Crop
Numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), show the average price for the 2019 peanut crop was $0.201 per pound, or $402 ton, which is down from 2018. Tyron Spearman looks at what states received the highest and lowest average prices. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of …