USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind producers that higher levels of coverage are available through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The 2018 Farm Bill also increased service fees and made other changes to the program, including service fee waivers for qualified military veterans interested in obtaining NAP coverage. NAP provides financial assistance to producers of commercial …
Florida Legislature Expected to Wrap Session up Saturday
Florida lawmakers are expected to vote sometime Saturday afternoon on what ended up being a $91.1 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. According to the News Service of Florida, the budget was distributed at 1:32 p.m. Wednesday, triggering the start of a constitutionally required 72-hour “cooling off” period before the House and Senate can vote on …
Rubio Joins Sasse, Colleagues in Reintroducing Livestock Haulers Legislation
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) in reintroducing the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act. Currently, overly strict trucking regulations from the Department of Transportation require mandatory rest time that put livestock at risk, especially during summer or winter months. This bipartisan legislation would give American agriculture the flexibility to safely transport livestock. “Florida’s livestock and …
Alabama Cattlemen Tracking Bill in Legislature
The 2019 Alabama legislative session is basically at the half-way point, with various bills of importance to agriculture still being discussed. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Erin Beasley talks about one of the bills being tracked, HB 518. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida …
Florida Legislative Session Scheduled to End Friday
Friday, May 3rd, is the scheduled end of the 60-day Florida legislative session. Lawmakers are slated to finish the session this week after what some say will be a frenzy of activity. According to the News Service of Florida, that means finishing negotiations by Tuesday on the $90-some billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Because of a …
Political Wrangling Over Conservation Program Could Exacerbate Florida Algae Issues
by Gary Cooper In weekend budget talks, lawmakers slash funding for a key land and water conservation program that is vital to restoring Florida’s waterways. Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) is a budget casualty. This program has a 20-year track record of success in preserving green space in perpetuity, while keeping farmland on the tax rolls. Program …
Farm Groups Calling for Disaster Relief
Farm groups and ag lenders are pressing Congress to put aside politics and pass urgently needed disaster relief. Politics has already sidelined $13 billion, including $5 billion for ag disaster aid, in a failed Senate procedural vote this month. Now, 135 farm groups and lenders are calling on the president and lawmakers to stop the politics and help their farmers …
Final Days of Florida Legislative Session
Just a few days remain in the 2019 Florida Legislative Session. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what lawmakers will be focused on this week. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025
Slower Pace for Alabama Legislature
It was somewhat of a slower pace this week during the 2019 Alabama Legislative Session in Montgomery, but action of interest to agriculture did take place Wednesday. Executive Director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC), Leigha Cauthen, says that was a full day of committee meetings. The Alabama Agribusiness Council provides an interactive bill tracker with links to bill text, …
Cattlemen Represented at White House Press Conference
Last Friday, representatives from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) were at the White House for a press conference. President Trump announced his plans for nationwide 5G service, with an emphasis on rural America. One of those attending was NCBA President-Elect Marty Smith, a cattle producer from Wacahoota, Florida. He told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman it was a last minute trip. Along …