Senators Seek Meat Worker Protections from USDA

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, General, Livestock

Senate Democrats want Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide more worker safety protection to meat processing employees. A group of 29 Senators, led by Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, penned a letter to Perdue outlining recommendations for ways the Department of Agriculture should improve worker safety. The Senators wrote, “While we recognize the importance of keeping these plants running, it …

Forages Conference Virtual Meeting Scheduled for May 26

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia, Industry

By Clint Thompson The annual Georgia Forages Conference will have a virtual look this year. On Tuesday, May 26, the conference will be held Live on Facebook and will feature pre-recorded video discussions with speakers about important topics like the bermudagrass stem maggot and alfalfa baleage production. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and be held through the Georgia …

Outlook for U.S. Red Meat Exports Remains Positive

Clint Thompson Alabama, Beef, Florida, Georgia, Pork

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reports that global demand for U.S. pork and beef has remained very robust in 2020, despite COVID-19 related disruptions in many countries’ restaurant and hospitality sectors. Joe Schuele has the story.   Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming …

President Trump Addresses Beef Imports During NCBA White House Visit

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

DENVER (May 19, 2020) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall issued the following statement in response to comments made by President Donald Trump about beef imports: “Today’s comment by President Donald Trump demonstrates the complexities of the U.S. beef business. Live cattle imports to the United States only come from Canada and Mexico and will continue to …

NACD Submits Comments on RCPP Rule

Clint Thompson Alabama, Environment, Florida, General, Georgia

Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) submitted public comments to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the interim Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) rule. RCPP was first created in the 2014 Farm Bill, and conservation districts across the country have successfully applied for, partnered with and led a large portion of all projects since the program’s …

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers Through Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Industry, Legislative

Farmers and Ranchers to Receive Direct Support for Losses Related to COVID-19 Contact: USDA PressEmail: press@oc.usda.gov (Washington, D.C., May 19, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus …

Florida NRCS Announces Natural Resource Meeting

Clint Thompson Florida, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced it will conduct a State Technical Committee meeting June 18, from 10-11:30 a.m. by web conference. This meeting will be open to the public, and NRCS will solicit recommendations for establishing program criteria and priorities for conservation in Florida. Chaired by NRCS Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez, the committee is …

U.S. Peanut Exports Continue to Rise

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

U.S. peanut export numbers continue to climb, and according to Tyron Spearman, the latest figures show a 25.3% rise over an eight month period.  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 …

Program Pays Ag Producers to Improve Forests

Clint Thompson Florida, Forestry

Agricultural producers in Florida can apply for financial assistance until June 15 for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project to improve forested lands from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners for conservation practices that improve forest ecosystems through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). For more information …

Cotton, Peanut Planting Update

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

According to new numbers from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), last week was another good week for cotton planting, while progress for peanut planting has been slow. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says cotton planting progress is slightly ahead of average. But Rippey says there has been slow planting progress for peanuts. In Alabama, 63% of the cotton crop …