The Ag Economy Barometer rebounded in August to a reading of 129 after falling to 117 in July. However, producer sentiment remains well below its late spring readings of 141 in May and 143 in June. Organizers say the shift occurred primarily because producer’s perception of current conditions improved as the Index of Current Conditions increased to a reading of …
USDA Launches Trade Mitigation Programs
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations.  Producers of certain commodities can now sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), while USDA will also begin to purchase identified commodities under a food purchase and distribution program. Additionally, USDA has begun …
Simplicity the Goal for Market Facilitation Program Sign-Up
Sign-up for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Market Facilitation Program officially starts today, Sept. 4. The $12 billion package was put together to cover three phases. The first phase includes payments to producers, the second phase has USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service administering a Food Purchase and Distribution Program to purchase commodities targeted by “unjustified” retaliation, and the third phase …
USDA to Make Food Purchases
As a part of USDA’s Market Facilitation Program, food purchases will be made. Tyron Spearman has the details. USDA to Make Food Purchases 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 into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle …
Senator Sanders Wants Big Companies to Pay for SNAP
A bill by Senator Bernie Sanders seeks to make big companies pay up for SNAP benefits their employees receive. Sanders, of Vermont, plans to introduce the bill next week on the same day the farm bill conferees meet. The bill would impose a 100 percent tax on government benefits including food stamps received by workers at companies with 500 or …
Dairy Farms Turning to GoFundMe to Stay in Business
The wife of a Wisconsin dairy farmer started a GoFundMe page to help their family farm survive. With a goal of $35,000, the story made national headlines over the weekend, and as of Tuesday, donations have reached $90,000. In her message, the wife was “asking for help to keep our small family dairy farm going.” The family farm recently went …
USDA Payments Expected After Labor Day
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects to send payments to farmers after the Labor Day holiday as part of a trade relief package. The $12 billion package is intended for farmers who have been affected by foreign tariffs on U.S. farm products, all in retaliation to President Trump’s trade agenda. A USDA spokesperson confirmed to the Hagstrom Report the department …
USDA Expected to Announce Trade Relief Package Friday
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to release further details of its trade relief package Friday. The aid package previously announced by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will provide $12 billion in assistance to farmers hurt by President Trump’s trade agenda. Agri-Pulse reports that sources involved with the process say the payment rate for soybean farmers has been preliminarily proposed …
Commodity Prices Have Landowners Searching for Additional Income
Low commodity prices have landowners searching for alternative incomes, according to Farmers National Company. The company says this is especially true as farmers head into harvest of the 2018 crops with current prices impacted by trade issues. In some states, landowners have also been facing increased costs due to rising property tax bills. For owners who have the right type …
Rural Mainstreet Index Rises
The Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral this month. The monthly survey of bank CEO’s in ten Midwestern states climbed to 54.8 from 53.8 in July. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral. Organizer Ernie Goss of Creighton University says the survey shows expansion of the economy outside of agriculture, but adds “the negative …