NMPF Urges Participation in CFAP

Sign-up is underway for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is urging all dairy farmers to use the program. It will provide much-needed and much-appreciated aid in upcoming weeks and months. CFAP provides support to producers who have suffered a 5%-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19. “The sooner a farmer signs up, the …

BQA Nominations Due June 5

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 …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida …

Georgia Cotton Planting Tops 50%

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), cotton planting in Georgia topped the 50% mark this past week. But Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Executive Director Richey Seaton explains how varying weather conditions have kept the numbers below the 5-year average. In Georgia, 57% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 72% last year. Seaton said …

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 …