Agriculture is part of our daily lives—from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. On Saturday, nearly 670,000 FFA members across the country will begin to share the story of agriculture as part of National FFA Week. Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness …
Mike Tate to Lead the National Cotton Council in 2019
Mike Tate, a cotton producer from Huntsville, Ala., was elected National Cotton Council (NCC) chairman for 2019. Named during the NCC’s 2019 annual meeting, held in San Antonio, Texas on February 8-10, Tate moves up from NCC vice chairman to succeed Ron Craft, a cotton producer from Plains, Texas. A graduate of the NCC’s Cotton Leadership Program, Tate previously served …
Secretary Perdue on the American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report: “Last year, I presented the findings of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to President Trump at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention. The report showed how broadband e-connectivity is essential for achieving rural prosperity in the 21st Century, and it has guided work …
Isakson, Perdue Urge Senate, House Leaders to Immediately Fund Agriculture Disaster Relief
U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) wrote to House and Senate leadership urging immediate action on a supplemental disaster relief package to provide critical aid for victims of natural disasters in Georgia and across the country. Supplemental disaster funding was overwhelmingly supported by 98 U.S. senators, including Isakson and Perdue, in funding proposals voted on earlier this …
AEM Releases January Ag Equipment Sales Numbers
January 2019 saw increases in U.S. sales of combines and four-wheel-drive tractors as well as total U.S. two-wheel-drive tractor sales compared to January last year, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The monthly sales report from AEM shows U.S. four-wheel-drive tractor sales gained 38.2 percent in January compared to last year and U.S. January combine …
Cattlemen React to Senate Passage of Public Lands Package
Ethan Lane, Senior Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Federal Lands, issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. “Ultimately, the biggest win in this package is simply it’s passage. Clearing the decks of so many local issues will free up natural resources policymakers on Capitol Hill …
USDA Reminds Producers of Feb. 14 Deadline for Market Facilitation Program
Agricultural producers have until Feb. 14, 2019, to sign up for USDA’s Market Facilitation Program (MFP), launched last year to help producers suffering from damages due to unjustified trade retaliation. Producers can apply without proof of yield but must certify 2018 production by May 1, 2019. Since its launch in September 2018, more than 864,000 producers have applied, supporting those hit hard …
USDA To Host 2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Sessions
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced that USDA is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk Management Agency. Each agency will take …
DeSantis, Senators Seek Everglades Money
Gov. Ron DeSantis has joined U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in urging President Donald Trump to include $200 million a year in the federal budget for the Everglades. In a letter released this week, the three Florida Republican leaders requested a commitment for construction funding. “The federal-state partnership to restore the Everglades is critical to protecting …
Survey Suggests Increased Cotton Plantings in 2019
U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 14.5 million cotton acres this spring, up 2.9 percent from 2018, according to the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 38th annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey. Upland cotton intentions are 14.2 million acres, up 2.8 percent from 2018, while extra-long staple intentions of 264,000 acres represent a 6.3 percent increase. The survey results were announced …