House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says the biggest problem facing legislators as they write the new Farm Bill isn’t just funding. Peterson told sugar producers and processors this week that the biggest battle is over what to do with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Peterson spoke to the International Sweetener Symposium in San Diego, pointing out that …
Farmers Still Support Trump but Worry Over Farm Bill
While some polls say President Trump’s support base has begun to slip, a new Farm Futures survey shows a majority of farmers (55 percent) would give Trump an A or B if they were to assign a grade to him on domestic issues. 26 percent would give him a C. The survey found that farmers seem to be mostly okay …
Farm Labor Shortage May Drive Produce Prices Higher
Adding guacamole to your favorite foods may soon become more expensive. Food and Wine Dot Com says a package of almonds may become pricier as well. As California farmers welcomed the end of a serious drought this spring, a serious labor shortage is becoming another issue to deal with. California is where the bulk of the nation’s produce is grown …
Farm Economy May Be Starting to Stabilize
The prolonged downturn in the farm economy continued in the second quarter of 2017. However, data from the Kansas City Fed’s Survey on Agricultural Credit Conditions shows the farm economy may finally be starting to stabilize. While economic conditions did continue to weaken in the second quarter, the pace of that deterioration has slowed. While the farm loan repayment rate …
USDA WASDE Report Released
Wheat: Projected 2017/18 U.S. wheat supplies are decreased this month on lower production, down 21 million bushels to just over 1.7 billion bushels. The August NASS production forecasts for durum and other spring wheat indicated a significant decline compared to last year, primarily due to continued severe drought conditions affecting the Northern Plains. Partially offsetting this decrease is higher winter …
USDA Calls for Nominations for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations to fill vacancies expiring in 2017 on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). FVIAC, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, was established by USDA in 2001. Members of the committee meet up to two times a year to develop recommendations on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry. Committee members represent …
USDA Forecasts Record-High Soybean Production in 2017
U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to the Crop Production report issued by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 2 percent from 2016, soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production by 7 percent from last year, forecast at 14.2 billion bushels. Up 7 percent …
McMillan Advises Horse Owners to Vaccinate for EEE & West Nile Virus
Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan announces that a horse has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the department’s diagnostic laboratory in Auburn. The horse was presented for treatment at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine from the neighboring state of Georgia. In addition, Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) has reported that the sentinel chickens, used to detect …
Crop Production for August-Southern Region
U.S. corn production for 2017 is forecast at 14.2 billion bushels, down 7 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 169.5 bushels per acre. Soybean production is forecast at a record high 4.38 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last year. All cotton production is forecast at 20.5 million 480-pound bales, …
Funding to Help Improve Soil Quality in Alabama
August 28 is the deadline for Alabama landowners interested in securing funding to help improve the soil quality on your land, all through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. This effort is possible thanks to a partnership between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama and the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee.