Ag Equipment Sales Rise in June

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

The overall sales of tractors and self-propelled combines were higher in the U.S. during June. According to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, it’s the first time this year that the sales numbers rose. Total U.S. farm tractor sales rose 32% in June. Only four-wheel-drive tractor sales declined in the U.S. during June. Total year-to-date farm tractor …

Farmers Concerns With Sales Reps During Pandemic

Clint Thompson Alabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Georgia

A survey from Farm Journal found 45% of farmers have reservations about allowing sales representatives back onto their farm. The survey released last week also found in order for input suppliers to be allowed back on the farm, 50% say social distancing would be required. Additionally, 18% want outside vendors to wear proper personal protection equipment, such as masks. However, …

Peanut Loan Rates Announced

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has announced the 2020 loan rates for the four types of peanuts. Tyron Spearman reports these rates are effective August 1. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every AcreMarch 19, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Builds Relationships Between Researchers and Cattle …

Concerns With Canada’s Commitments Under USMCA

Clint Thompson Alabama, Exports/Imports, Florida, Georgia

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force July 1, but many U.S. dairy farmers are concerned about possible bad-faith actions from Canada. During a recent RFD-TV interview, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President of Communications, Alan Bjerga, discussed how Canada’s Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ) allocations are undermining the trade deal. In a recent release, NMPF noted it has …

Agriculture Making Big Funding Request

Clint Thompson Alabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Georgia

Agriculture is making a big funding request to Congress in an expected final COVID-19 stimulus bill. It will likely be the last major legislation before the November election, and Senate Republicans don’t want the kind of multi-trillion-dollar COVID-stimulus bills still favored by House Democrats. But the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is asking for a hefty $68 billion in the …

Condition Update for Cotton, Peanut Crops

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

The condition numbers for the 2020 cotton crop are down this week compared to this time last year. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the crop is rated considerably lower than last year. Rippey has the latest look at cotton squaring and setting bolls. Rippey has the latest outlook for the nation’s peanut crop. In Alabama, 77% of the cotton crop …

Crop Acreage Reports Due Wednesday

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

Agricultural producers are reminded that crop acreage reports are due Wednesday, July 15, and an appointment needs to be made with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the deadline. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FSA has implemented acreage reporting flexibilities. It can work with producers to file timely acreage reports by phone, email, online tools and virtual meetings. …

Sheep Producers Account for $26.6 Million in CFAP Payments

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Sheep-Goats

According to recent numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), sheep producers have collected more than $26.6 million in payments from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Payments for lambs and yearlings accounted for more than 91% ($24,366,284.11) of money paid to the American sheep industry. Producers also benefited from wool payments, $1,368,303.22 for non-graded wool and $894,354 …

House Appropriations Committee Approves Ag Appropriations Spending

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2021 appropriations bill covering the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Farm Credit Administration and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The committee’s ranking Republican, Kay Granger of Texas, says some of the provisions designed to stop the Trump administration from making reforms could be “poison pills.” Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska also says he …

Investigating a Rapid Decline in North Florida Corn Fields

Clint Thompson Alabama, Corn, Florida, Georgia

by deonne UF/IFAS What are the Symptoms? In recent weeks, extension agents in various locations across North Florida (primarily in the Northeast) have received calls from growers and consultants about symptoms of rapid decline in corn. Symptoms observed include leaf blight, and in general, a wilted, scalded appearance of foliage still in the milk stage of grain maturity. Fall back …