(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 …
Perdue Outlines Basics of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on Friday. This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. President Trump directed USDA to craft this $19 billion immediate relief program to provide critical support to our farmers and …
Farm Income Drop Could Top $20 Billion
(NAFB) — A new economic analysis says crop and livestock farmers are in for much lower incomes in 2020. A DTN report says crop farmers are projected to see an $11.85 billion in revenue during 2020, while livestock farmers are projected to drop a combined $20.24 billion in receipts this year. Early analysis from the University of Missouri’s Food and …
Farmers, Ag Industry Groups Scrambling for Aid
(NAFB) — The Small Business Administration has been slow to approve many agricultural banks under the new Paycheck Protection Program. Politico says that the program has been overwhelmed with applications and is expected to run out of its initial $350 billion as soon as this week. “There’s a lot of farmers out there trying to line up for the funding,” …
Extension Economist Offers Reassurances about Meat Supplies
(ACES) — Smithfield Foods has closed a major pork processing facility in South Dakota causing concern about meat supplies and possible shortages among consumers, industry professionals and political pundits. An economist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System said consumers should think about the industry as a whole and the long-term logistics of moving not only meat supplies but also all …