(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make available $800 million to agricultural producers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia affected by hurricanes Michael and Florence. The state block grants are part of a broader $3 billion package to help producers recover from 2018 and 2019 natural disasters, which includes the Wildfire …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces USDA Disaster Relief for Florida
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $380.7 million in federal block grant funding for Florida farmers devastated by Hurricane Michael, including direct relief for timber producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will administer the USDA block grants alongside the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Through consistent engagement with USDA officials, Florida …
Update on Second MFP Payment Tranche
On Thursday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue gave an update on a potential second tranche of payments to producers under a USDA tariff mitigation program. Rod Bain has the details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember …
October Ag Economy Barometer Improves
(NAFB) — The October Ag Economy Barometer improved to a reading of 136 in October, up 15 points compared to September. The monthly measure of the farm economy saw an increase in the assessment of current and future conditions by farmers. The Current Conditions Index rose from 100 in September to 115 in October, and the Futures Expectations Index also …
China Urges Trump to Lift Tariffs
(NAFB) — China wants the United States to commit to lifting tariffs to reach a phase one trade agreement. The South China Morning Post reports Beijing needs America to be more responsive to its concerns, if it wants Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the U.S. to sign the deal. There’s been no firm commitment by the U.S. to delay …
COUNTRY Financial Invests in Agriculture
COUNTRY Financial continues to invest in agriculture in many states, including Alabama and Georgia. Their Farm Underwriting Manager, Craig Conroy, recently discussed with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman how the company started, and why they find it valuable to visit and know what is going on at each farm they serve. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember …
Agriculture Appropriations Pass the Senate
Funding for fiscal year 2020 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture was part of a mini-omnibus spending bill passed by the Senate last week. Rod Bain has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, …
Lawmakers Working to Complete Funding Package
This week in the Senate, lawmakers have been working to complete a funding package that includes four of the appropriations bills for the new fiscal year. One of those bills funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agricultural programs. National Cotton Council Vice President of Washington Operations, Reece Langley, shares his outlook on this round of the appropriations process. Sponsored …
Farm Bankruptcies up 24 Percent Since Trade War Start
(NAFB) — Farm bankruptcies are at the highest level seen since 2011. Data compiled by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows farm bankruptcies surged 24 percent since the trade war with China began. For the 12-month period ending September 2019, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies totaled 580 filings, the highest level since 676 filings in 2011. AFBF Chief Economist John Newton …
House Agriculture Committee Approves Bipartisan CFTC Reauthorization
The House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 4895, a bill to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee Ranking Member Austin Scott (GA-8) released the following remarks upon passage: “This reauthorization provides the CFTC with the tools it needs to successfully regulate the U.S. derivatives market, safeguard consumers, …