Overall U.S. sales of tractors and combines continued to post strong numbers, led by combines and four-wheel-drive tractors, according to the July 2018 report from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. July U.S. sales of combines gained 37 percent compared to last year, with year-to-date growth of nearly 24 percent compared to last year’s January-July numbers. U.S. sales of four-wheel-drive tractors …
Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance Details
Last week, it was announced that local crop insurance agents will soon have a new product for dairy producers that covers unexpected declines in quarterly milk sales receipts. Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator Martin Barbre explains how the new Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance product will work. Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance Details Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement …
Global Food Prices Decline
Global food prices declined in July, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Monthly Food Price Index averaged 168.8 points in July 2018, down 6.5 points , or 3.7 percent from June and 10.3 points from the corresponding period last year. The July decline marked the first significant month-to-month decrease in the value since December …
Farm Futures Survey: Farmer Support for Trump Slipping
A poll by Farm Futures shows support to Donald Trump from farmers is slipping. The survey found that 60 percent of farmers would vote for the president if the election were held today. That’s down from the 75 percent support level Trump received from growers in the 2016 election. Meanwhile, 24 percent said they would not vote for reelection and …
Available Soon – New Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance
Local crop insurance agents will have a new product for dairy producers this October – one that covers unexpected declines in quarterly milk sales receipts. Rod Bain has the details. Available Soon – New Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses …
Doud Rips China, India Farm Subsidies
The Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. is attacking both China and India for blowing past their World Trade Organization spending limits on farm subsidies that distort trade. “We think China has done in excess of $100 billion more in subsidies to its farmers than it was allowed to do,” Gregg Doug said at the American Sugar Alliance’s International Sweetener …
USDA Funds Designed to Help Farmers
USDA did announced their program to help farmers hurt by trade disruptions last month. Tyron Spearman has more information. USDA Funds Designed to Help Farmers Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides …
Producer Sentiment Plummets in July
Concerns over agricultural trade weighed heavily on producers’ current and future expectations of the agricultural economy. As a result, the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer tumbled in July, dropping 26 points to a reading of 117. To paint a further bleak picture, the Index of Current Conditions fell from 138 in June down to 99, while the Index of Future …
Smithfield Foods Hit with Hefty Penalty in North Carolina
A federal jury in North Carolina decided on Friday that Smithfield Foods would have to pay a hefty dollar amount of $473.5 million dollars to neighbors of three of the company’s large hog farms. The neighbors had filed an unreasonable nuisance lawsuit because of odors, flies, and large trucks rumbling down the road. The jury says Smithfield owes the compensation …
Ag Holds Roundtable on Lawsuit Abuse
A special agriculture roundtable discussion took place on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina. The goal was to highlight a recent wave of nuisance lawsuits in the state targeting hog farms. Lawmakers and agricultural leaders discussed the growing threat to farmers and how out-of-state lawyers are using nuisance lawsuits to get around states’ right-to-farm laws. The discussion included the economic impact …