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 ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
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 …
2018 Farm Bill Increases Farm Loan Limits
Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in farm loans from the Department of Agriculture. USDA announced last week the increase would help farmers purchase farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency, and made changes to other loans, such …
Farm Bill Status Update: Dairy Programs to Open Soon
In an update on the 2019 Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture has provided target dates for dairy programs. In the announcement, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue stated, “we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” but added USDA is diligently working on completing the process. Specifically relating to dairy in Title One of the farm bill, USDA says …
Alabama Legislature Moving on General Fund
More bills of interest to agriculture were discussed this week during the 2019 Alabama legislative session. Leigha Cauthen, executive director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, notes the general fund has passed out of the House. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
USDA Update on Farm Bill Implementation Progress
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20th, 2018 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementation of key programs. USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public, specific to each agency’s respective mission areas. “At USDA we …
Cattlemen Launch Final Push for Public Comment on New Water Rule
With the deadline to file comments to repeal and replace the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule quickly approaching, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) kicked off a social media campaign aimed at encouraging cattle producers to take action. A series of short digital videos featuring NCBA members will be released on Facebook (@BeefUSA ) and Twitter (@BeltwayBeef) until the comment period officially …
Livestock Market Owners Visit Capitol Hill
D.C. policy leaders learned about issues affecting the livestock marketing industry and participated in a mock auction during Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) Washington D.C. Fly In. World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Jared Miller, auctioned pies during Hill staff briefings for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Legislative staff gained a better understanding of how the auction method of selling drives …