(NCGA) — Analysis released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) showed cash corn prices have declined by 16 percent on average, with several regions experiencing declines of more than 20 percent, since March 1 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis projects a $50 per acre revenue decline for the 2019 corn crop. “The COVID-19 pandemic is being …
2020 FCA Annual Convention & Allied Trade Show Cancelled
(FCA) — With a heavy heart, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association has cancelled the 2020 Florida Cattlemen’s Annual Convention & Allied Tradeshow scheduled for June 23-25, 2020 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Florida. The health and safety of attendees as well the logistical complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic, made the decision imminent. “This was not an easy decision, …
Commissioner Nikki Fried to Congress & USDA: “Too Little Too Late” for Florida Farmers
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent letters to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Florida’s congressional delegation urging further action to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on Florida’s agriculture industry. In the letters, Fried shared the Florida Seasonal Crop COVID-19 Impact Assessment released this week which projects losses for Florida agriculture upwards of $522 million. The USDA recently announced its …
Agreement Reached on Expanding Coronavirus Aid, Ag Eligibility in EIDL
(NAFB) — Lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday to allow agriculture to participate in the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The agreement is part of a larger deal, a $484 billion coronavirus package to extend the Paycheck Protection Program. The agreement also includes funds for small lenders and community banks, funds for national coronavirus testing and funding …
Farm Groups Defend Glyphosate Reregistration
(NAFB) — A coalition of commodity groups seeks to block a challenge that would toss out the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to reregister glyphosate. The group filed a joint motion to intervene on April 20 in the case to support EPA’s decision. The Natural Resources Defense Council is challenging the reregistration approval. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used …
Lawmakers Seek Support for Local Media
(NAFB) — More than 200 lawmakers seek federal assistance for local news and media outlets suffering from the lack of advertising funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers say that in times of emergency and disaster, the public turns to their local media, and advertising plays an incredible role in funding those outlets. A letter to the Trump administration says …
USDA Reports Record Enrollment in Key Farm Safety-Net Programs
(USDA/FSA) — Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed compared with a 5-year average. USDA also reminds producers that June 30 is the deadline to enroll in …
Tractor Sales Drop 16 Percent in March
(NAFB) — The Association of Equipment Manufacturer’s monthly Flash Report didn’t have good news when it came to March tractor sales. The overall sale of all tractors dropped 16 percent in March when compared to March of 2019. For the year, a total of 41,237 tractors were sold in 2020, compared to a total of more than 44,600 sold last …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Highlights COVID-19 Crop Losses
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) released the Florida Seasonal Crop COVID-19 Impact Assessment, a new report providing data on crop losses facing Florida farmers. Based on figures reported by growers, total crop losses across the state through mid-April 2020 may exceed $522.5 million. Florida is the nation’s second-largest producer of seasonal specialty crops such as blueberries, strawberries, …
Groups React to Announcement of COVID-19 Relief for Farmers
NPPC Statement on USDA COVID-19 Relief Package (NPPC) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a COVID-19 relief package that includes $3 billion in planned agricultural product purchases and $1.6 billion in direct payments to hog farmers, including payment limitations of $125,000 per commodity and $250,000 per individual. Industry economists conservatively estimate that hog farmers will lose $37 per …