The U.S. Senate and House moved quickly Friday to pass a budget deal that includes assistance for cotton and dairy farmers, following a brief government shutdown. President Donald J. Trump signed the bill into law this morning. The Alabama Farmers Federation’s Mitt Walker said the bill will provide a cushion for producers, which is critical because of dim market outlooks. …
Farm Disaster Relief on the Way After Irma’s Devastation
State lawmakers continue to craft tax relief for Florida’s storm-battered citrus industry, as President Donald Trump signed off Friday on billions of dollars in much-anticipated federal disaster relief. A spending bill approved by Congress and Trump includes nearly $90 billion for disaster relief, with $2.36 billion aimed at assisting the agriculture industry for losses from Hurricane Irma in Florida, Hurricane …
Alabama Legislative Update
While various bills continue moving in the Alabama Legislature Leigha Cauthen, executive director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, notes there has been some movement with the state budget. Alabama Legislative Update Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Considers Efforts Important …
Florida Cattlemen Hoping for More Dollars in Ag Lands Program
This week the Florida House and Senate passed their versions of a state budget. Florida Cattlemen’s Association Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, says they are asking for an increase in the Rural and Family Lands Program. Florida Cattlemen Hoping for More Dollars in Ag Lands Programs Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida …
Conaway Wants Farm Bill Movement Next Month
House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway this week expressed his desire to see mark-up and a vote on the farm bill by the end of March in the House of Representatives. Conaway says that timetable would leave plenty of time to work out differences with the Senate version of the bill and ensure new legislation is finalized before the farm …
Lobbyist Suggest Cotton, Dairy Fixes in Disaster Bill
Industry lobbyist for cotton and dairy say safety-net fixes are nearing. Key industry lobbyist told the Hagstrom Report they believe there will be fixes to the problems in the cotton and dairy programs in the package of appropriations and disaster funding that Senate leaders are working on. An unnamed source said: “This would be a big win for agriculture going …
Farmers Union Launches Farm Bill Campaign
American family farmers and ranchers are enduring the worst economic slide in generations, and they need Congress to pass a Farm Bill in 2018 to strengthen the farm safety net. In order to educate the general public and to generate support for a Farm Bill to be passed this year, National Farmers Union (NFU) and Farmers Union state divisions have …
Over Regulation Threatens Family Farms, AFBF President Duvall Tells Senate
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, recounted a long list of regulatory abuses and missteps by the federal government. Drawing on his two years as president of the nation’s largest farming organization, Duvall called for bipartisan cooperation in reducing over regulation, which has been a target of administrations …
The Top 3 Things on Florida Farm Bureau’s Legislative Plate
The Florida Farm Bureau held its legislative days in Tallahassee this week, where it advocated for an “Ag Strong” legislative agenda. Adam Basford, director of legislative affairs for Florida Farm Bureau, was pleased with the turnout at this year’s events. Sporting “Ag Strong” pins, nearly 200 members of the Florida Farm Bureau made appointments with their legislators to advocate for …
Agriculture Watching Movement of Bills in Alabama Legislature
Some bills of interest to agriculture continues to move along in the 2018 Alabama Legislative Session. Executive Director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, Leigha Cauthen, has an update on a couple of those bills. Agriculture Watching Movement of Bills in Alabama Legislature Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant …