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 ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research …
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 …
Perdue Reiterates Need to Restore Original Intent of SNAP
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue reiterated during a U.S. Senate hearing the need to restore the original intent of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is to be a second chance and not a way of life. Secretary Perdue’s comments come on the heels of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishing in the Federal Register a proposed …
WTO Officially Acknowledges Chinese Subsidies Violate Rules
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has now officially ruled in favor of the U.S. in a complaint related to Chinese subsidies for agricultural products. The WTO dispute settlement panel found that China exceeded international standards for farming support, causing trade distortion and creating artificial pricing for wheat and rice. The ruling was expected to go in favor of the U.S. …
Trump Budget Proposal to Include USDA Cuts
The Trump 2020 budget proposal will include “big cuts” to the Department of Agriculture, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The budget request will propose cutting non-defense programs by five percent. However, Politico reports USDA is likely to face steeper budget cuts. Perdue noted that Congress usually disregards the president’s budget request, which in recent years has unsuccessfully called for …