The 8th Annual Legislative Livestock Showdown took place at the New South Arena in Perry, Georgia, as part of the Georgia National Fair. The highly competitive livestock showmanship event, co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia National fair, resulted in a fourth consecutive win for the Georgia House of Representatives. “This is a unique opportunity for our …
NRCS Offers Hurricane Disaster Assistance to Alabama Landowners
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Alabama Ben Malone announced a special financial assistance sign up for Alabama farmers and ranchers who suffered damage to working lands and livestock mortality because of Hurricane Michael. Affected producers are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The first batching period will end on October 26, 2018. A …
Commissioner Black Gets First Glimpse of Hurricane Michael’s Damage
Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black got his first glance of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Michael during a brief flyover on Friday with Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission Chuck Williams. “Unfortunately, our worst thoughts were realized, “said Commissioner Black. “We saw months and sometimes years of work just laid over on the ground in a matter of seconds.” Pecan …
Perdue Announces Funding for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $9.4 million in grants (PDF, 750 KB) to provide enhanced training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known …
Hurricane Relief Fund Will Aid Alabama Farmers
To help the state’s farmers recover from Hurricane Michael’s devastating effects, the Alabama Farmers Federation has established a relief fund to directly benefit producers. “Farmers in south Alabama have received an outpouring of support from neighbors and people across the country,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “Many have asked where they can donate to help farmers who’ve lost their crops …
USMCA Predicted to Boost Protein Exports
Industry experts say the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) could lead to modest export gains for U.S. poultry, pork, and beef. A new report from CoBank says the agreement is expected to keep tariffs on food and agriculture between the three countries at zero. The report says the U.S. chicken sector exports are predicted to rise 47,000 metric tons in …
USDA Appoints Members to Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 25 members of the recently re-established Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The newly appointed members will serve terms of up to two years beginning immediately and ending in 2020. The appointees were selected from nominations received in May 2018 resulting from the April 23, 2018, announcement of the re-establishment of the …
Casey’s Announces Partnership with Prime the Pump
The Casey’s General Store chain announced a new partnership with Prime the Pump, a Growth Energy partner and nonprofit organization dedicated to helping give more consumers E15 at their local pumps. Casey’s says it will expand the offering of E15 to potentially more than 500 of its locations over the next few years. E15 is currently approved for nine out …
U.S. Farm Equipment Sales Rises in September
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly “Flash Report” says U.S. sales of all tractors back in September were up two percent compared to the same time frame in 2017. For the first nine months in 2018, a total of 181,515 tractors were sold, which compares to 168,651 sold through the first nine months of 2017. That represents an eight percent …
WASDE Anticipates Lower Harvests for Corn and Soybeans
The October World Ag Supply and Demand (WASDE) report predicts corn and soybean yields will both be lower than previously expected. Corn production is forecast at 14.78 billion bushels, down 49 million bushels due to a reduced yield forecast. Corn supplies going into harvest are forecast to be a record-high number, exports were raised by 75 million bushels, and USDA …