(NAFB) — Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue is working on developing aid programs for livestock, dairy, and specialty crop producers ahead of any aid to traditional commodity producers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The Hagstrom Report says House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson spoke with Perdue, who told the chairman that he’s trying to develop systems to provide aid …
NCBA Commends Secretary Perdue For Swift Action In Expanding Investigation Into Cattle Markets
(NCBA) — NCBA President Marty Smith released the following statement on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement of expanding the agency’s investigation into cattle markets: “I would like to thank President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for their quick response to NCBA’s request to expand the agency’s investigation into cattle markets. Secretary Perdue’s decision …
Pandemic Causes Some Stockyards To Suspend Sales
(ALFA) — Several Alabama stockyards suspended cattle auctions this week to protect employees and customers and help control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Scott Garrett, an owner of Mid State Stockyards, LLP in Letohatchee, said he and several stockyard owners in Alabama talked before suspending sales this week. Because stockyards are classified as essential, he said closures were made by …
NCBA Requests President Trump Expand USDA Market Investigation
(NCBA) — NCBA President Marty Smith sent a letter to President Donald Trump, requesting the government to act quickly to investigate the striking disparity between boxed beef prices and cattle prices in the futures and cash markets during the current COVID-19 crisis and following the packing plant fire in Holcomb, Kan., last August. In his letter, Smith requests President Trump to …
AFBF on CARES Act SBA Loans
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says producers are ineligible for some CARES Act Small Business Association loans, but eligible for others. AFBF Congressional Relations Director, RJ Karney, says they believe farmers can’t participate in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, but do qualify for paycheck assistance. “As of now, AFBF’s interpretation of the rule is, farmers are eligible to …
Deadline Nearing for Input on RCPP Rule
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been seeking public comments on its interim rule for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), but the deadline to make comments is April 13. RCPP helps partners develop and implement unique conservation solutions that engage farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The 2018 Farm Bill made it a stand-alone program with its own dedicated …
COVID 19 Response: Your Grocery and Food-Safety Questions Answered
(UF/IFAS) — It’s a battle of facts vs. myths in the rush to get information to the public about how consumers can safely shop for groceries and handle food during the coronavirus pandemic. To get the correct data, we asked three experts with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to answer common questions: Keith Schneider, a UF/IFAS …
Crop and Livestock Prices Plunge Under Weight of COVID-19 Uncertainty
(AFBF) — Updated analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows crop and livestock prices falling to levels that threaten the livelihoods of many U.S. farmers and ranchers. Shuttered schools, universities, restaurants, bars and cafeterias are no longer buying milk, meat, fruits, vegetables and other food, causing a downward spiral in crop and livestock prices. Nearby futures prices for nearly …
Florida Watermelon Farmers Face Uncertainty Due to COVID-19
(UF/IFAS) — As fruit and vegetable farmers in South Florida decide what to do with produce once destined for now-closed schools and restaurants, watermelon farmers in North Florida have recently finished planting their crop. Given the uncertainty around the market for fresh produce, the decision to plant came down to economics, said Mark Warren, agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Levy …
Drivers Should Watch For Farmers During Planting Season
(ALFA) — Alabamians are encouraged to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, farmers are still performing essential work planting crops to feed, fuel and clothe consumers. That means drivers performing essential travel, such as to the grocery store, are sharing the road with more farm machinery. “Springtime means farmers are moving equipment to and from the field as they …