Dairy Margin Coverage Signup Deadline Nearing

Dan Dairy, Economy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers the deadline to sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program is Sept. 20. DMC provides coverage retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey says producers can choose between the $4.00 …

Trump Says Tariff Income to Help Hurricane-Damaged Farms

Dan Economy, Florida, Georgia

(NAFB) — President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that money the U.S. receives from tariffs on China will help farmers recover from Hurricane Dorian. Trump says, “we’ve taken in many billions of dollars of tariffs from China and we will have a lot of money to be helping our farmers along the coast if they get hit.” The President made …

ARC, PLC Enrollment Open

Dan Economy

The Department of Agriculture this week opened enrollment for the Agriculture Risk Coverage, and Price Loss Coverage programs. Agriculture Risk Coverage, known as ARC, provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guarantee level. Price Loss Coverage, known as PLC,  provides income support payments on historical base acres when the price for …

August Ag Economy Barometer Falls

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — Farmer concern regarding low prices and the farm economy led to a sharp drop in the August Ag Economy Barometer. The Perdue/CME Group economic measure fell 29 points last month to a reading of 124. The barometer’s decline was attributed to declines in both the Index of Current Conditions, which dropped 19 points, and the Index of Future …

While Farmers’ Frustrations Grow, They Still Seem to Support Trump

Dan Economy

While farmer frustration with the Trump administration continues to grow because of the trade war with China and small refinery waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard, he still seems to have their support. Bloomberg says support for the president bounced back this year, with 67 percent of farmers in a Farm Futures Survey saying they’ll support his re-election in 2020. …

Farm Aid 2019 Planned for Wisconsin

Dan Economy, General

The annual Farm Aid music and food festival will return to the heart of dairy country on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Wisconsin. Coordinators of the event say this year the organization stages Farm Aid 2019 in an economic climate similar to the one that sparked the first Farm Aid concert in 1985. President and Founder Willie Nelson says, “America’s family …

CBO: Trade War to Slow Economic Growth

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

(NAFB) — The bipartisan Congressional Budget Office says the trade war will slow economic growth, adding more fears of a possible recession.The CBO says tariffs, which reduce U.S. gross domestic product through higher prices, reduces consumer purchasing power. The report predicts the economy will grow at 1.8 percent per year over the next decade, below historical average growth rates. Agriculture …

U.S. Sugar Addresses Recently Amended Lawsuit Attacking Farming Communities

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Sugar

(U.S. Sugar) — “The amended complaint filed earlier by out of town trial lawyers is currently under review.” It appears attacks on our farming communities have widened to include the Glades and Hendry county communities of Moore Haven and Clewiston, where we have played a proud and prominent role since our founding in 1931. Our senior management, including our CEO …

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Wheat

Oats, Potato, Sugarcane, and Wheat Growers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon Tallahassee, FL (FDACS)  – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) reminds Florida oats, potato, sugarcane, and wheat growers that September 30 is the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 …

Trump Signs Family Farmer Relief Act

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — President Trump last week signed the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019. The law raises the Chapter 12 debt limit from $4.1 million to $10 million. The bipartisan bill “will help family farmers reorganize after falling on hard times,” according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. The law allows more farmers the opportunity to qualify under …