Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that agricultural producers can now apply for hurricane disaster relief for 2023 and 2024. The Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program will provide over $600 million in grant funding in which the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says can, “assist with infrastructure damage, market loss, citrus loss, and timber damage …
Consumer Confidence Readings Highest Since October
The Consumer Confidence Index, the highest in four months, hopefully trickling down to Main Street. The February reading from the Conference Board was the highest since October, reaching just over 91. Looking at January’s number, also adjusted higher, from near a 12-year low of 84.5 up to 89. Economists say the improvement comes from consumers’ view of the future. Bottom Line analysts say these readings and …
Crop Production Forecasts Presented at USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum
The U.S. Department of Agriculture presented the crop forecasts for the upcoming season during the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum. USDA economist Bryn Swearingen provided the forecast for corn, soybeans and wheat. Swearingen said, “While corn acres are forecasted down to 94 million, this is still the third highest on record, and soybeans are forecasted to have a recovery to 85 million …
Uncertainty Impacting the Markets
Markets don’t perform well, dealing with uncertainty, and there’s plenty of it at midweek. Wall Street CME Group in Chicago facing uncertainty from multiple fronts. Usually it’s maybe one major world event or perhaps a domestic issue here, but as we head to March, markets dealing with tariff uncertainty, ongoing and escalating tensions with Iran, weather in the Northeast, and a never-ending AI fears. That VIX or fear index, …
Florida Commissioner of Ag Announces $3 Billion in Losses Due To Recent Freezes
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that agricultural industry in Florida has sustained more than $3 Billion in total estimated damages due to recent freezes. Commissioner Simpson said, “Our preliminary estimate of over $3 billion in agricultural losses makes clear what we already knew: This was one of the most damaging freeze events for Florida agriculture in history. …
Georgia General Assembly Working Through Annual Budgets
The Georgia General Assembly continues it’s work in Atlanta and we caught up with Will Bentley with the Georgia Agribusiness Council to get an update on their progress through the session. Bentley said, “We continue to focus on passing the amended budget right now. The Senate just voted to pass their version of FY26 amended budget, looking at the changes that have …
USDA Announces Purchase Of Dairy And Ag Products For Food Banks
US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will be purchasing up to $263 million in dairy and ag products to distribute to nutrition assistance programs and food banks nationwide through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935. According to the department, the purchase is expected to assist both producers and communities in need. Secretary Rollins said, “From …
US Secretary of Agriculture Announces Start Date For Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program will open today. The Farm Service Agency will be administering the $11 Billion one-time bridge payments for row crop producers. Secretary Rollins posted on X saying, “Starting Monday, February 23, applications open EARLY for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program — unleashing $11 BILLION in targeted, fast help …
Monsanto Proposes Nationwide Class Settlement to Resolve Roundup Claims
Monsanto has announced a nationwide proposed class settlement to resolve Roundup claims alleging non-Hodgkin lymphoma injuries. The proposed settlement is the second since their initial proposed settlement in 2020 and would include the element of a long-term compensation program providing funding for up to 21 years addressing both current and future claimants. According to Bayer, “the long-term payment stream will provide the company with …
Lean Hog Futures Rebound as Smithfield Plans $1.3B South Dakota Plant
Lean hog futures faced sustained pressure last week, closing lower every trading day in a holiday-shortened stretch. This week has delivered a recovery, but market signals suggest the rebound is not yet fully convincing. Here’s a complete breakdown of the latest hog market activity, fund positioning, cash index strength, and major pork industry expansion news shaping the outlook. Lean Hog …










