USDA Rule Amends Certain FMMOs

Dan Dairy, Marketing, USDA-AMS

The USDA published a final rule that amends the transportation credit balancing fund provisions in the Appalachian and Southeast Federal Milk Marketing Orders. It also establishes distributing plant delivery credits in the Appalachian, Florida, and Southeast FMMOs. The final rule is a result of a hearing held February 28-March 2, 2023, in Tennessee. The hearing highlighted a long-standing milk deficit …

NCBA Promoting Trailblazers Program

Dan Cattle, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

Driving the demand for beef starts at the grassroots with a strong network of advocates willing to share beef’s positive message. That’s why the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, developed the Trailblazers program.  Chandler Mulvaney, director of grassroots advocacy & spokesperson development at NCBA, talked with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman at the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and …

GCC Hosts Annual Meeting

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) held its annual winter meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Topics like the farm bill and Cotton Trust Protocol were on the agenda, as were strategies presented by UGA specialists for growers trying to manage pests, diseases and other challenges related to cotton …

USDA Investing in Food Waste Reduction Projects

Dan USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is investing approximately $11.5 million in agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture. The program is jointly …

Boddiford Elected Chairman of GPC

Clint Thompson Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC)

Joe Boddiford, peanut farmer from Sylvania, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) during the January monthly board meeting. This is Boddiford’s third consecutive term serving as chairman. “I look forward to working with Georgia peanut farmers and our industry partners to help enhance the peanut industry and the profitability of farmers,” Boddiford says. “Farmers can contact …

USDA Releases 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Specialty Crops, USDA, USDA-AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which shows that over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains.   The PDP …

Cattle Producers to Discuss the Death Tax

Dan Beef, Cattle, Economy, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

The 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show officially kicks off today and runs through February 2 in Orlando. Various issues will be discussed during CattleCon24, with one of those being the death tax. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports the Death Tax Repeal Act, led by Reps. Randy Feenstra of Iowa and Sanford Bishop from Georgia. The Senate companion bill is …

Farm Bureau Backs American Sugar Producers

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Specialty Crops, Sugar

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is backing sugar producers. As part of the policy resolutions set during their recent national convention, the American Farm Bureau continued support for a no-cost sugar policy. Cassie Bladow, chairperson of the American Sugar Alliance says the alliance appreciates farm bureau’s support, and they appreciate having AFBF as a strong partner as they advocate for …

Farmers Can Now Pay Farm Loans Online

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding, This Land of Ours, USDA-FSA

An easier way to make your farm loan payments. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online. It’s through the new Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov that goes live in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline …

CattleCon24 Starts Wednesday in Orlando

Dan Beef, Cattle, Marketing, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

Even if you didn’t pre-register for the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show , you are still being urged to attend as registration is available at the event. CattleCon24, the cattle industry’s largest event of the year, kicks off Wednesday, January 31st and runs through Friday, February 2nd in Orlando. There will be a variety of educational opportunities including …