Farm Loan Delinquencies Increase, but Remain Historically Low

Dan Economy

(NAFB) — New research shows farm loan delinquencies remain historically low. Several years of persistently low net farm income, collapsing levels of working capital, and rising debt, has sparked concern regarding the overall health of the farm economy. However, Agricultural Economic Insights shows that at the end of 2018, delinquencies rates for non-real estate farm loans totaled 1.84 percent. After …

Checking Out the New Dairy Margin Coverage Program

Dan Dairy, Economy

The signup period for the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) started a couple of weeks ago, and producers are encouraged to check it out before the September 20th deadline. Stephanie Ho has more details. For more information, visit the farmers.gov DMC webpage or contact your local USDA service center. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata …

Cobank: Poultry Well Positioned to Withstand Profit Pressure

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Poultry

Poultry profitability is coming under pressure as prices decline amid growing supplies. A new report from CoBank says the U.S. chicken industry has experienced an unprecedented run of historic profitability since 2012 and responded by significantly increasing production and processing capacity. Six new poultry processing plants are expected to be operating by 2020, while production and supplies of competing animal …

Signup Continues for National Conservation Innovation Grants

Dan Economy, Environment, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds landowners their signup period for National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) continues. USDA is investing up to $12.5 million to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. CIG are competitive grants driving public and private sector innovation in resource conservation, with projects inspiring creative problem-solving that boosts production on farms, ranches, and private …

July 4th Cookouts Costing About the Same

Dan Beef, Dairy, Economy, Fruits, Industry News Release, Pork, Poultry, Vegetables

(AFBF) — A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for July 4th, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and watermelon, will cost just a few cents more this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout …

Over Five Thousand Producers are Signed Up for DMC

Dan Dairy, Economy, Industry News Release

USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey says more than 5,000 dairy operations have signed up for the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program. The exact number was 5,364 as of last Thursday afternoon. Northey says about 40,000 dairy operations are eligible to enroll, but overall he’s pleased with the number of producers who’ve signed up since June …

USDA Adds Flexibility for Cover Crop Management in Crop Year 2020

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Soil

WASHINGTON DC (USDA/FSA) – The 2018 Farm Bill mandated changes to the treatment of cover crops for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, which add more flexibility to when cover crops must be terminated while remaining eligible for crop insurance. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) developed new guidelines and policy provisions …

Members of Georgia Delegation Urge Timely, Effective Implementation of Disaster Relief Funds

Dan Economy, Georgia, Industry News Release, Legislative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to encourage the Trump administration to work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to ensure that farmers affected by Hurricane Michael receive needed aid as soon as possible. They applauded Secretary Perdue for his support of disaster aid legislation signed into …