The cost of ag labor is expected to rise. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Total cash labor expenses for the U.S. agriculture sector are forecast to be $43.35 billion for 2023, based on new data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). This would be an increase of $0.78 billion, or 1.8 percent, over the 2022 level of …
NPPC President Not Willing to “Bet the Farm” on Prop 12
Now that California’s Prop 12 is in effect, hog producers around the nation are having to decide if they’re going to change their operations to comply. National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Scott Hays says it’s an individual choice, and one his family farm turned down. “If you think about it from a producer perspective, most of the cost is …
Georgia Beef Board Welcomes New Staff Member during Busy Time
The Georgia Beef Board (GBB) staff is busy with various activities both this and next month. GBB Executive Vice President Dale Sandlin looks at how one event they just took part in went, along with previewing a big one coming up next month. Plus, he told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, they have a new staff member on board and she is ready to …
Preparing for October Beef Month in Alabama
October Beef Month in Alabama is just around the corner, and so the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) staff has been busy finalizing plans. ACA Director of Consumer Outreach, Josie Jones, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman this is the 59th annual event. To learn more about October Beef Month, contact Josie at the ACA office in Montgomery at 334-265-1867 or e-mail her at josie@bamabeef.org. Sponsored ContentCIR …
Good July for Pork Exports but Slow for Beef
Building on a robust first-half performance, July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). But, beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January. Starting with the good news, pork exports in July were up 5% year-over-year, while the export value …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In this week’s “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Commissioner I understand there is a new threat to Alabama’s honeybee colonies. Can you tell us about it? Again, if you believe you found a yellow-legged hornet, send a photo of the insect with the abdomen and legs visible to agi.alabama.gov/contact-us/ with the subject line “Invasive Species”. Or contact the …
July Pork Exports Above Year-Ago Levels, Slow Month for Beef Exports
According to numbers released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels. On the other hand, beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January, but export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400. July pork exports totaled 219,014 …
Alabama Application Deadline for Meat and Poultry Processing Nearing
Here’s a reminder from the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority that it is accepting loan applications under the Alabama Meat Processing Program. This program is a result of a $15 million award from the USDA through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program. Applications for Phase I will close Thursday, September 14, 2023. The low interest loans are intended to support …
Commissioner Simpson Requests Flexibility in Federal Disaster Programs for Florida Ag Industry Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 6, 2023) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter to United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack highlighting the catastrophic damage suffered by Florida’s agriculture industry from Hurricane Idalia and asked for specific flexibilities in reporting deadlines and sign-up periods for standing federal disaster programs. The letter can be read here [ 875.1 kB ] and below. Dear Secretary …
USDA Invests in Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA has announced the availability of $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is being directed to prioritize CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants, as well as other projects that have climate …