More Progress Needed on U.S. Beef Access to Saudi Arabia

Clint Thompson Alabama, Beef, Exports/Imports, Florida, Georgia

While Saudi Arabia did recently lift its 30-month cattle age restriction on U.S. beef, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) notes other product restrictions do remain in place. Joe Schuele has the story. According to USMEF, U.S. exports to Saudi Arabia in 2019 totaled $14.3 million. Through April of this year, exports were substantially below the 2019 pace at just …

Farmworkers: DeSantis’ Remarks ‘Shameful’

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

Farm workers are pushing back after Gov. Ron DeSantis said clusters of “overwhelmingly Hispanic” day laborers and agriculture workers are the source for Florida’s recent surge in coronavirus cases. The Republican governor told reporters on Tuesday that migrant workers and Hispanic construction workers have been testing positive for COVID-19, in part, because of cramped living and working conditions. “Some of …

Peanut Crop Update

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

Tyron Spearman has a look at how things currently stand with this year’s peanut crop. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026

Grim Outlook Continues for Cotton Farmers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Last week’s release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing cotton supply/demand numbers and projections paints a grim picture for farmers in the Southeast. Don Shurley, a retired cotton economist and Professor Emeritus of Cotton Economics at the University of Georgia, said the remaining outlook for the old cotton crop and near term outlook for the new …

AEM Releases May 2020 Ag Equipment Sales Numbers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

Overall unit sales of agricultural tractors and combines in May 2020 rose in the United States. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says smaller machine sales growth is overpowering declines in the bigger segments and combines. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 15.1% in May compared to 2019, while U.S. May combine sales fell 2.9%. Heavy-duty tractor sales declined, but …

immigration

FDACS Disputes Agriculture is Driving COVID-19 Increases in Florida

Clint Thompson Florida

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vowed to keep the state open despite a recent surge in the number of people infected with COVID-19. “We are not shutting down. We are going to go forward.” DeSantis said during a late afternoon news conference. According to the News Service of Florida, DeSantis held the news conference amid increasing questions about the …

USDA Updates CFAP Numbers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has processed more than 220,000 Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments to farmers and ranchers. In a weekly update, USDA data shows the department has issued $2.8 billion to farmers so far, with Iowa producers receiving the most, at $144 million for row crops and $150 million for livestock. Iowa also accounts for the highest …

A Rebound in Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Sectors

Clint Thompson Alabama, Dairy, Florida, Georgia, Livestock, Poultry

June’s USDA outlook for meat and dairy indicate increases in several production and price categories compared to the previous month. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well …

More Details Concerning ARC-PLC Enrollment

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020 must do so by June 30. Tyron Spearman has more details about what producers need to know when contacting their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to sign a 2020 enrollment contract. For more information on ARC and …

Learning Remains in Getting to a New Normal

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

Agriculture and others in the food supply chain are taking away important lessons and trying to learn new ones from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s key to being prepared in the likelihood of a second wave. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Executive Vice President, Dale Moore, says the search for solutions to food supply disruptions is guaranteed, amid the ongoing pandemic. …