Every five years, Congress sets the course for our nation’s agricultural policy with the passage of a Farm Bill. When farm policy critics predictably suggested that Congress use the 2018 Farm Bill to undermine the critical safety net that crop insurance provides, those who depend on crop insurance were quick to tell Capitol Hill to “do no harm” to this important program. …
First 2019 Dairy Safety Net Payment Triggered
Enrollment Expected to Begin this Summer The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the January 2019 income over feed cost margin was $7.99 per hundredweight, triggering the first payment for eligible dairy producers who purchase the appropriate level of coverage under the new but yet-to-be established Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. DMC, which replaces …
Farmers Attend Disaster Relief Meeting
Farmers and others in rural areas of the Southeast attended an Ag Disaster Update Tuesday evening in Tifton. Tyron Spearman reports on what was discussed. Sponsored ContentPropane Education and Research Council Shares Opportunities For Ag ProducersDecember 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Considers Efforts Important to Cattle Producers in FloridaDecember 12, …
Survey: Producers Less Optimistic Regarding Farm Economy
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer weakened in February as producers became less optimistic about current economic conditions and the commodity price outlook. The barometer, which is based on a survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers, declined seven points to a reading of 136, down from 143 in January. A rating below 100 is negative, while a rating above …
China, U.S. Nearing Trade Deal
The U.S. and China are inching closer to an agreement on trade that could be reached this month, according to those close to the talks. Bloomberg reports an agreement could be reached and finalized later this month during a planned summit between China’s President and President Donald Trump. As part of the potential agreement, China would lower tariffs on agricultural …
Alfa Insurance Helps Customers Following Deadly Tornadoes
Leveled homes, downed trees and collapsed barns bore witness to the strength of Sunday’s deadly tornadoes as Alfa Insurance responded to claims. “We’ve seen everything from where there used to be houses and only slabs are left, to a substantial equipment barn with 3- to 4-foot footings pulled out of the ground,” said Alfa Adjuster J.R. Jung. “This is a …
Georgia Leaders, Farmers Urge Congress To Pass Disaster Relief Package
Georgia leaders, farmers and elected officials are urging Congress to quickly pass the bipartisan disaster relief package introduced last week by U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA). President Trump, working with a bipartisan group of senators, has confirmed his support for disaster relief and encouraged Congress to pass legislation with funding for Georgia and other states that …
Perdue on Dairy Margin Coverage
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says implementing a new Farm Bill based Dairy Margin Coverage program as soon as possible is a priority. Rod Bain has the story. Sponsored ContentPropane Education and Research Council Shares Opportunities For Ag ProducersDecember 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Considers Efforts Important to Cattle Producers …
Georgia Ag Disaster Funding Update
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has announced they are hosting an Ag Disaster Update, Tuesday March 5 in Tifton. It will be held at 7:00pm at the UGA Tifton Conference Center. Both Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black have confirmed they will attend to provide updates on state and …
Farm Debt Levels Equaling 1980s Farm Crisis
The amount of farm debt has risen rapidly to $409 billion. That’s up from $385 billion in 2018. U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says demand for loans remains “historically high.” A Reuters article says the strain on the American farm belt is becoming more and more comparable to the agricultural crisis of three decades ago. The strain is being caused …