Last week, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Dairy Subcommittee held a hearing that was called by chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The hearing focused on issues related to milk pricing and the Federal Milk Marketing Order system, which has shown strains during the COVID-19 pandemic due in large part to flaws in the current Class I mover and its ripple effects through …
Ag Disasters Funding Included in House Stop-Gap Funding Bill Facing Senate GOP Filibuster
House Democrats included billions for Ag disaster aid in their stop-gap government funding bill that passed on a party-line vote, but that now faces a Senate GOP filibuster over its debt limit hike. The stop-gap spending bill to avert a government shutdown October first passed on a partisan 220-211 vote, despite Democrats including billions for Ag and other disasters. Here …
Commissioner Fried / FDACS Submit 2022-23 Legislative Budget Request
(Tallahassee, FL/Sept. 20, 2021-FDACS) — Last week, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) submitted the department’s Legislative Budget Request (LBR) for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. “Despite the challenges of operating through a continuing pandemic, our core mission remains the same: to safeguard the public and support Florida agriculture. Our budget priorities are solutions-oriented and critical not only to our …
September Forecast for Beef, Pork and Poultry Production and Prices
USDA’s September outlook notes the trends of production and price for the beef sector are moving in opposite directions, while showing a reduction in pork production. Rod Bain has more details. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski also discusses the September outlook for poultry production and prices. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up …
What Farmers Need To Know About Disaster Assistance
Natural disasters can devastate family farms, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and affecting crops and livestock. An economist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) said the most significant threats come from hurricanes and their aftereffects. “The nature of their job means that farmers face inherent risks,” said Adam Rabinowitz, who is also an Auburn University assistant professor of agricultural economics. …
NCBA Promoting the Rancher Resilience Grant
Producer education is an important aspect to the beef industry, and that’s why the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) wants cattlemen and women across the country to know about the Rancher Resilience Grant. The grant is designed to support cattle producer attendance at impactful education events, and it’s made possible by a partnership between the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and Cargill Protein, and is …
House Ways and Means Committee Releases Draft Bill
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee this week did release a draft bill, and for now, the stepped-up basis tax break for farms and ranches appears safe. But the final verdict may still be out. The bill includes tax provisions that would pay for portions of the proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation legislative package, and the bill doers include …
Near Record Number of Farmland Sales
The pace of land sales picked up this year for Farmers National Company. The company reports it is on track for a near-record or record sales year on several fronts. The higher land prices have spurred an increased number of landowners to sell, with some wanting to complete the sale before year-end due to uncertainty about potential tax law changes. …
U.S. Tractor and Combine Sales Increased in August
U.S. tractor sales increased last month compared to 2020 while combine sales jumped 19.8 percent, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly sales report. Combine sales posted the second month in a row of growth near 20 percent in the United States, and total farm tractor sales climbed 9.9 percent. Sub 40 horsepower tractor sales were up 8.7 percent, …
Florida Producers Encouraged to Apply for USDA Pandemic Assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program-2 (CFAP-2), which includes expanded eligibility and increased flexibility. But a deadline of October 12, 2021 was set for eligible producers to apply or modify CFAP-2 applications. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) encourages eligible producers in Florida to review the program modifications and to apply via …