The deadline for nominations in the 14th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards is June 5, 2020. The 2020 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef producer, dairy, marketing and education: The beef producer honors include BQA Cow Calf and BQA Feedyard awards, which recognize producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as …
Commissioner Fried Applauds Cabinet Approval of Conservation and Aquaculture Projects
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Cabinet approved a Florida Forever land acquisition project in Franklin County and Wakulla County and an aquaculture lease project in Gulf County. These projects will help support Florida’s aquaculture industry, which has suffered massive sales decreases due to COVID-19, and will provide important conservation protections for natural lands and wildlife in the Panhandle area. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is the state’s lead …
NCC Explains CFAP Payment Rates for Cotton
Sign-up for the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is underway. National Cotton Council (NCC) Vice President of Washington Operations Reece Langley explains how the payment rates are calculated for cotton. The sign-up period, which began this week, runs through August 28. Langley says the application process is relatively simple. There has been some confusion since the notice included two …
Planting Deadline Dates Nearing
While weather conditions have hampered planting plans for some growers here in the Southeast, Tyron Spearman has a reminder that crop insurance planting date deadlines are nearing. Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every …
March Margin Triggers DMC Program Payment
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the March 2020 income over feed cost margin was $9.15 per hundredweight (cwt.), thus triggering the first payment of 2020 for dairy producers who purchased the appropriate level of coverage under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce has a reminder of what the …
Stabenow Introduces Food Supply Protection Act
Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced legislation on Wednesday to help protect the food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on farmers, workers, food banks and families. Stabenow, the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee, says, “This bill will help strengthen our food supply.” The Food Supply Protection Act will support food banks and non-profits to help …
Beef Cattle Industry Adjusting to New Conditions
One USDA analyst says there are several recent encouraging signs for the beleaguered beef cattle industry. Gary Crawford has the details. Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida 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 …
Peanut Planting Update
While planting continues across the Southeast, Tyron Spearman reports getting peanut seed in the ground is slightly behind the 5-year average. Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida 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 …
$16 Billion in USDA Aid Now Available; Commissioner Fried Urges Farmers to Apply
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Tallahassee, Fla. – Applications opened on Tuesday for $16 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture financial support through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to help American farmers impacted by COVID-19. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging all eligible Florida farmers and ranchers to apply immediately through their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. …
Farmland Prices Continue Decline; Farm Borrowing Increasing
The latest Rural Mainstreet Index from Creighton University shows farmland prices are declining while farmer borrowing is growing. Released last week, the overall index for May increased to 12.5 from April’s record low 12.1 but down significantly from March’s weak 35.5. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. Farmland prices continue to …