Ag Economy Barometer Falls in April

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The Ag Economy Barometer plummeted in April, declining to a reading of 115, an 18-point decline compared to March when the index stood at 133. The 18-point decline in the index was the fourth largest one-month fall in the barometer since data collection began in October 2015. Organizers say the barometer’s decline was driven by worsening perceptions of both current …

Signup for Dairy Producers Ends Friday

Dan Dairy, Economy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Program (LGM-Dairy) have until Friday to participate in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) for 2018 coverage.  The MPP-Dairy program offers protection to producers when the difference between the national all-milk price and the national average feed cost falls below the dollar amount selected by the producer for …

Trade War Only Getting Worse for Soy Farmers Fearful for their Future

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Soybeans

Confirmation of Tariff Hikes Planned on Chinese Goods another Personal Blow to Growers In what could easily be described as “worst case” for America’s soybean growers, the Trump Administration has confirmed what the industry has feared for months: Heavier tariffs on Chinese goods are planned for Friday, May 10. “This is a predicament for soy growers,” said Davie Stephens, a …

Senators David Perdue and Rick Scott: Families Can’t Wait Any Longer for Disaster Relief

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Legislative

“Together, we should demonstrate to the American people that in times of natural disasters, Washington can still work.” U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to Democrat senators in states impacted by natural disasters urging them to immediately pass disaster relief funding, which has been stalled by political obstruction. It’s been 208 days since Hurricane …

Congress Once Again Taking Up Disaster Aid

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The U.S. House is set to work on a disaster aid bill that includes financial help for Midwestern and Southern Farmers. The Hagstrom Report says House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer made the announcement last week as the House adjourned until Tuesday. Hoyer says the House will consider H.R. 2157, which is the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2019. “The legislation would …

Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session

Dan Economy, Education, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Legislative, Water

Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and began the two-year terms of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose …

USDA Announces Repayment Options for Producers with Coverage in Previous MPP for Dairy

Dan Dairy, Economy, Industry News Release

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that dairy producers who had coverage under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which provided payments to producers when the price of milk fell below the feed costs to produce it, are eligible to receive a repayment for part of the premiums paid into the program. To be eligible for this repayment, which …

Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar Falls to All-Time Low

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The farmer’s share of the food dollar has reached an all-time low. For every dollar American consumers spend on food, U.S. farmers and ranchers earn just 14.6 cents, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. This value marks a 17 percent decline since 2011 and the smallest portion of the American food …