Commodity price declines, supply-chain disruptions, and coronavirus concerns pushed the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer down to a three-year low in April. The barometer recorded a reading of 96, marking the first time the barometer has fallen below 100 since October 2016, and was 72 points below its record high just two months prior. The Ag Economy Barometer is …
Low Temperatures Could Impact Seed Germination
By Clint Thompson Row crop farmers need to be wary of cooler temperatures this week, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist. Producers are planting cotton and peanuts. But if temperatures drop into the 40s as weather.com predicts for Tifton, Georgia, they could impact seed germination. “I’m not a seed specialist but I know that if you …
Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida Forest Service Warn Floridians of Increased Wildfire Danger
Tallahassee, Fla.– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service are urging Floridians to exercise caution due to the increased threat of wildfires. Fire danger has increased throughout the state due to windy conditions and critically low relative humidity over the coming days. Gusty conditions are possible in the Panhandle and Big Bend with the passage of a dry …
Planting in Full Swing
Seed is going into the ground across many areas of the Southeast right now. Tyron Spearman looks at how some of the individual crops are progressing. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025
USDA Announces $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Funds
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of up to $5 million for wetland mitigation banks. This funding, through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, is available to help conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. “Wetlands are critically important to the health of our natural resources — …
Florida NRCS Moves Bronson Field Office to Trenton
Florida NRCS Moves Bronson Field Office to Trenton USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they are moving the Bronson Field Office to Trenton, Florida on May 14. The Trenton office will continue to serve farmers and ranchers in Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy counties. The new address is 1727 East Wade Street, Suite D, Trenton, Fla. 32693, …
Lawmakers Seek Quick Investigation of Beef Industry
A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives urges the Department of Agriculture to provide findings of its beef pricing investigation as soon as possible. Following the announcement of the USDA’s Packers and Stockyard Division investigation in August of 2019, Secretary Sonny Perdue extended USDA’s investigation last month to determine the causes of divergence between live beef and box prices during the …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Urges Farmers to Sign Up for USDA Purchasing Programs
Tallahassee, Fla. — Following the USDA’s announcement of $470 million in federal food purchases to occur in June and July, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging Florida farmers and ranchers to sign up for the Section 32 purchasing program to sell perishable commodities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The USDA is purchasing surplus foods from agricultural producers for distribution to communities nationwide. “As farmers …
Florida NRCS Agricultural Land Easement Signup Ends Wednesday
The deadline for applications to fund Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) in Florida is Wednesday, May 6. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial assistance to conservation partners to purchase an ALE that protects the agricultural use of cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland. While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made …
Commissioner Fried Encourages Farmers to Apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Tallahassee, Fla. — Following today’s announcement by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that agricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is encouraging Florida’s farmers and ranchers to apply immediately. The EIDL portal reopened today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “As Florida’s agricultural producers work hard to …