Milk prices haven’t exactly jumped higher early on in 2019. A Drovers’ report says dairy farmers are in need of a market rally after years of low prices. However, at least some relief may be coming this year. Bryan Doherty, VP of Stewart-Peterson, tells Drovers that dairy is a tough market to be in right now because there’s too much …
State Departments of Agriculture Call for an End to Shutdown
The partial government shutdown is having a profound and cascading impact on American farmers and ranchers. Because of this, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is calling on Congress and the Administration to rapidly get to a settlement and end the shutdown as soon as possible. The organization says in a news release that, “We know that some …
House Bill Would Increase Disaster Relief For Farmers
Alabama congressmen were instrumental in adding $1.9 billion in disaster relief for farmers suffering agricultural losses to the supplemental appropriations bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives by a 237-187 vote. H.R. 268 originally authorized $1.1 billion for relief. During debate, an amendment co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Robert Aderholt and Martha Roby and Democrat Terri Sewell was adopted, increasing …
USDA May Call Back Some Employees
USDA may call back many Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office workers to process farm loans and other applications, deeming those employees as “essential,” according to American Farm Bureau officials. The White House has already okayed key government services including food stamp benefits and tax refunds during the partial shutdown that affects USDA, the IRS and other departments and agencies. …
Farmers Under Fire: Trial Lawyers’ Attack on Agriculture
Agriculture is in the crosshairs as class-action lawsuits seek huge monetary awards against agricultural producers, said a panel of experts at a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention. Panelists Andy Curliss, CEO of the North Carolina Pork Council; Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agriculture Law Center and Blake Hurst, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau …
Ag Economy Barometer Declines in December
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined moderately in December to 127, seven points below the index’s value one month earlier. The Barometer is a monthly nationwide measure of the health of the U.S. agricultural economy. A rating below 100 is negative, while a rating above 100 indicates positive sentiment regarding the agriculture industry. The December 2018 barometer was …
Yearly Sales of U.S. Tractors and Combines Rise
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers released its “Flash Report” that says the total number of tractors sold in the U.S. was up seven percent when compared to 2017. The number of tractors sold in 2018 totaled 235,856, seven percent higher than the 220,605 tractors sold in 2017. During December of last year, the sales of two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under …
Perdue on Extension of Market Facilitation Program Deadline
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an extension to the original deadline for Market Facilitation Program applications. Agricultural producers who are seeking payments through the program, which is a part of the trade mitigation initiative, will now have more time to submit their applications. “President Trump instructed me, as Secretary of Agriculture, to craft a program that would …
Lawmakers Eye ‘Long, Long Recovery’ from Hurricane
Hurricane Michael, which pummeled 10 Panhandle counties and spurred evacuation orders for 375,000 Floridians in October, left nearly seven times the debris of Hurricane Irma, which barreled across 45 counties in 2017. And in the three months since Michael came ashore at Mexico Beach, debris continues to be picked up, more than 102,000 people have registered for assistance, and 16 …
Delay with MFP Payments
Continuation of the partial government shutdown is affecting the second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to farmers. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida …