Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb Smith Discusses Amendment 2 Defeat, Farm Bill and Challenges Ahead

November 6, 2026 | By Josh McGill Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Jeb Smith says the defeat of Amendment 2 in Tuesday’s general election was disappointing, but he remains hopeful that agricultural property tax relief could return to voters in the future. In an interview with the Southeast AgNet Radio Network, Smith discussed the narrow failure of the proposed agricultural …

Peanut Prep Seed Treatment Aims to Improve Peanut Emergence, Yields

As peanut growers begin planning for the 2027 growing season, seed treatments remain an important consideration for protecting young plants and establishing a healthy crop. Representatives from Kannar AgriScience recently spoke with Southeast AgNet about Peanut Prep, a seed treatment designed to improve early emergence, protect against disease and support stronger plant development. Here the full interview with Kannar AgriScience …

commodities

Commodities Status Report

10 months of trade for 2026 will be in the books after the close of business today, and we review our list of 58 commodities and how they’ve fared now, year to date. Energies, no surprise, continue to top our list. After 10 months, heating oil, gasoline, and crude oil rank number 1, 2, and 3. In fact, the highest …

mexico

Sterile-Fly Facility Odor Causes Unrest in Mexico

A growing controversy in Mexico is drawing attention to a key facility in the fight against the New World screwworm, a pest that threatens livestock industries across North America. Residents near a sterile fly production plant in southern Mexico have staged protests over strong odors coming from the facility. According to reports, the plant uses rotting meat to raise screwworm …

Sunbelt Ag Expo

Sunbelt Ag Expo Opens

This is the week. The Sunbelt Ag Expo is opening up on Tuesday through Thursday in Moultrie, Georgia at Spence Field. Gates open at 8 30 in the morning and will close at 4 except on Thursday, which will run to 3 o’clock. Admission to the gate is $15 per person. Advance and discount tickets are now being purchased online. …

grazing

Sec. Rollins Releases letter on June Grazing Directive

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is encouraging ranchers who graze livestock on federal lands to take advantage of USDA’s new grazing directive aimed at expanding grazing opportunities and strengthen the nation’s cattle industry. In a letter sent this week to livestock producers holding grazing permits on U.S. Forest Service allotments, Rollins highlighted the department’s June 2026 grazing directive and urged ranchers …

USDA trade mission

USDA Trade Mission Eyes New Opportunities in Australia and New Zealand

USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg recently returned from a trade mission to Australia and New Zealand focused on expanding opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses. More than 60 U.S. businesses participated in the mission, along with representatives from 11 state departments of agriculture and 15 agricultural industry organizations. Products highlighted during the …

Executive Orders

President Trump Signs Pro-Rancher Executive Orders

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at strengthening America’s cattle industry and supporting ranchers across the country. During an event in Washington, the administration announced a series of new actions designed to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd, which currently remains at its smallest level since the 1950s. One executive order focuses on predator management. It directs federal …

CME FedWatch

Federal Reserve Board Meeting Upcoming

Markets back open today. It appears that there are a lot of nervous traders on Wall Street and to a lesser degree in Chicago. Federal Reserve Board’s September meeting opens a week from today. Latest CME FedWatch tool gives traders reason to be nervous in our view. Current FedWatch tool shows a 38% chance there’ll be no change in rates, …

early American forest management

America’s Early Forest Management Begins in 1876

From Settler Clearing to Forest Conservation As early American settlers cleared land for homesteads, farms, and growing communities, the federal government increasingly recognized that the nation’s forests were an important natural resource that needed to be studied and managed. The beginnings of organized federal forest management can be traced to 1876, when Congress created an office within the U.S. Department …