Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast to decrease $9.1 billion, or 12.1 percent from 2017 to $66.3 billion in 2018, after increasing $13.8 billion in 2017. The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service recently announced the forecast. USDA says, meanwhile, net cash farm income is forecast to decrease $8.5 billion, 8.4 percent, to $93.4 billion. Net …
Peterson: Farm Bill Could be Passed Next Week
The Ranking Democrat of the House Agriculture Committee predicts the farm bill will be considered next week. Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota told reporters this week the bill is nearly finalized and should be filed Monday, with House consideration Wednesday and Senate consideration Thursday. Peterson says the bill would rename the Margin Protection Program and change the way it operates …
Fried Taps Nelson for Honorary Inaugural Role
After being ousted from office by Republican Gov. Rick Scott, departing U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will have a hand in an upcoming inaugural in Tallahassee. Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried, the only Democrat to win statewide in the Nov. 6 election, named Nelson an honorary co-chair as part of her inauguration leadership committee. Nelson served in the Senate for almost two …
Nomination Meetings Scheduled to Fill Posts on Georgia Peanut Commission
Peanut producers to vote on posts in GPC Districts 2, 4 and 5 Nomination meetings to fill three positions on the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) Board of Directors will be held Dec. 10 in Ocilla, Vienna and Americus. The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation will conduct the meetings during which peanut producers will nominate peers to represent the Peanut Commission’s Districts …
Survey Shows Farmers Concerned with Lack of Farm Bill
Farmers are expressing concern over the lack of a new farm bill in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The monthly survey in November asked producers how concerned they were regarding the farm bill. 75 percent of respondents said they were either somewhat or very concerned about the lack of a new farm bill with 33 percent of …
Announced China Ag Purchases Lack Details
Agriculture eagerly awaits any details regarding increased purchases of U.S. ag products by China. President Trump over the weekend said following a discussion with China that the nation “will be buying massive amounts of product from us,” promising an “incredibly positive impact on farming.” Politico reports, however, there is no guarantee China will hold its end of the bargain, as …
UF/IFAS Extension to Help Teach Updated Farm Safety
Farm workers can learn updated safety rules from faculty with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension and others at a Dec. 18 conference in Sebring. UF/IFAS Extension faculty from several Central Florida counties – including Highlands, Hardee and Palm Beach — will work with emergency management officials to teach agricultural safety to farm laborers, said …
Florida Hurricane Michael Relief Fund
Families in North Florida have suffered unprecedented losses due to Hurricane Michael. In response, Florida Farm Bureau has created a relief fund that will help North Florida farm families recovering from agricultural-related losses from the storm. Applications are now open for farmers and ranchers in North Florida who have been impacted by Hurricane Michael. Applications are limited to North Florida agriculture …
No House Votes; Farm Bill Delayed
On Monday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the House of Representatives will not hold any votes this week due to the mourning and funeral for the late President George H.W. Bush. The announcement means the farm bill will not move forward this week, and the conference report that was expected early this week is now anticipated early next week, …
Secretary Perdue announces new OneUSDA Internship Program
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the “OneUSDA Internship” opportunity for Summer 2019. As part of the Federal Pathways Program, the OneUSDA Internship will provide students a way to explore serving their country through a career in government while gaining work experience in agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and other career fields. “The improvements we’re making to internships at …