Large Livestock Loan Drive Rise in Farm Lending

The Federal Reserve’s Agricultural Finance Databook says lending activity in the agricultural sector increased slightly in the second quarter of 2018. The overall number of non-real estate farm loans was roughly two percent higher than at the same time in 2017. The slight increase was supported primarily by larger loans for livestock. In the short term, The Kansas City Fed …

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Florida

Loans Available in Florida Following Secretary of Agriculture Drought Disaster Declaration for March Freeze The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Madison and Nassau counties Florida as a result of the freeze on …

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Georgia

Disaster Loans Available in Georgia Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for March Freeze The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Georgia as a result of the freeze on March 8-23, 2018. The loans are available in …

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Florida

Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Irma The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Florida as a result of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 9 – 12, 2017. The loans are available in the following …

Perdue: Farmers Can’t Pay Bills on Patriotism

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Tuesday called farmers “some of the best patriots in America,” while speaking at an event, but said farmers “can’t pay the bills with patriotism.” Perdue made the comments at Axios 360, an event held by news website Axios, in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning. Perdue says farmers and ranchers are “bearing the brunt” of the ongoing trade …

Ag Shippers: NAFTA Trade War Costly

Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz says trade disruptions are threatening to undermine an otherwise robust economy. The rail company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, told the Omaha World-Herald that the current trade disruption: “Affects the 7,300 communities Union Pacific serves.” Specifically, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation effort is harming U.S. railways. About 40 percent of Union Pacific traffic …

USDA Partners to Improve Rural Water Infrastructure

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $267 million in 103 infrastructure projects (PDF, 298 KB) to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities. “Robust, modern infrastructure is foundational for quality of life and economic opportunity – no matter what zip code you live in,” Hazlett said. “Under Secretary …

Cooperative Wants Price Floors on Dairy Products

While low milk prices and a trade war continue to make things difficult for America’s dairy farmers, a northeast U.S. cooperative is asking the government to step in and help boost milk prices. Agri-Mark, which represents over 900 members, sent a letter to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to implement price floors for butter, cheese, and nonfat dry milk. …