PPQ Shares Cutting-Edge Methods with State Partner By Greg Rosenthal (USDA/APHIS) — After weeks of searching, Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists–—with some cutting-edge methods from USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)–—have located and eradicated the first Asian giant hornet (AGH) nest ever found in the United States. For months, WSDA had been trying to find the nest they …
Ag Economy Barometer Reaches All-Time High
(NAFB) — The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 27 points to a reading of 183 in October, setting an all-time high for the index. Farmers were more optimistic about both the future and current financial situations on their farms. The Current Conditions Index rose 36 points to a reading of 178, and the Future Expectations Index climbed 23 …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Urges Okaloosa and Walton County Producers Affected by Hurricane Sally to Apply for USDA Disaster Assistance
(FDACS) — Following Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s call for a Secretarial disaster designation for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Sally, on Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Okaloosa and Walton counties as primary and Bay, Holmes, Santa Rosa, and Washington counties as secondary disaster areas. Producers in these counties are now eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster loans in addition to producers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who …
45th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show Coming Up in Jan.
University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Georgia Don’t miss out on the 45th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference, set for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 20-21, 2021, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research …
Two Alabama Counties Designated Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Baldwin and Mobile counties who suffered losses caused by excessive wind, flash flooding and excessive rainfall caused by Hurricane Sally that occurred from Sept. 15 through Sept. 16, 2020, may be eligible for …
Secretary Perdue Comments on DOL’s H2A Wage Rule
(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new H2A Wage Rule, which delivers on President Trump’s promise to stabilize farm labor costs and reform the H-2A wage rate. “This rule shows once again President Trump’s commitment to America’s farmers by delivering lower costs when they need it the most,” said Secretary Perdue. “Over the …
Department of Labor Stabilizes Farmworker Pay
(AFBF) — The Department of Labor announced it will stabilize the wages paid to guest farmworkers. The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) will remain at 2020 rates for the next two years. The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall: “Farmers are committed to paying their employees a fair wage, but the existing system sets …
Industry Feedyard Audit Tool Now Available
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is announcing the release of a comprehensive industry feedyard audit tool. The Cattle Industry Feedyard Audit will serve as a standardized audit tool based on the sound science and common sense established in the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. Though the audit tool is owned by NCBA, auditing of feedyards will only …
Deadline Extended for AASP Poultry Grower Programs
DEADLINE EXTENDED Due to statewide power outages last week as a result of Hurricane Zeta, the application deadline for the AASP Breeder, Broiler and Pullet Grower programs has been extended to Friday, November 13, 2020. Eligible grower should visit crf.alabama.gov or agi.alabama.gov to apply. Eligibility requirements for each program are below. Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program Poultry Breeder Growers Eligibility Before proceeding through the application, please …
Bipartisan Congressional Letter Calls for Stronger U.S. Approach to Preserving Common Food and Wine Terms
A coalition of leading farm and agricultural groups are applauding a bipartisan letter sent by 111 members of Congress urging stronger protections for American-made food and wine exports using common terms. This is an important message regarding the need for enhanced U.S. efforts to combat the European Union’s (EU) attempts to ban U.S. exports of cheese, meat and wine products that are …