The big are getting bigger. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s annual Farms and Land in Farms Report shows the country’s largest farms with sales of $1 million or more operate nearly 26 percent of U.S. farmlands. The agency also says there were 2.003 million farms in the nation during 2022, a drop of 0.5 percentage points …
U.S. Tractor Sales Start 2023 Lower
U.S. ag tractor sales finished January 2023 in the negative, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total U.S. ag tractor unit sales fell for January in all segments except one. 100-plus horsepower two-wheel-drive tractors actually grew 22.8 percent. U.S. combine sales continued its growth streak, climbing 132.7 percent year-over-year. Curt Blades of AEM says, …
USDA Designates Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/Feb. 15,2023)Â — Last week USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a Secretarial natural disaster designation for 27 counties in Tennessee that also included four counties in Alabama that are contiguous to some of the Tennessee counties. This designation will extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from drought through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various …
Simpson Continues Pushing Florida Lawmakers for Land Money
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb. 7, 2023) — After Gov. Ron DeSantis left the money out of his proposed budget, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson continues to push state lawmakers to replenish funding for a program aimed at keeping ranches and farms from future development. Simpson, speaking Monday to the Senate Agriculture Committee, stressed the need to push forward with the Rural and Family …
Mental Health Matters: Check In with Yourself and Check on Those Around You
(Atlanta, GA/Jan. 31, 2023) — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper addressed Georgia mental health advocates on Tuesday about mental health awareness during Mental Health Day at the Georgia Capitol. Harper emphasized the importance of mental health awareness for those working in the food and agriculture sectors. “The Department has been working closely with many partner agencies to educate and provide resources …
NCBA Announces Lawsuit Against Biden Administration WOTUS Rule
(NCBA/WASHINGTON D. C./January 19, 2022) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the Biden administration’s final “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. “The Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is an attack on farmers and ranchers and NCBA will be fighting back in court,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “The rule removes longstanding, …
Zippy Duvall Opens 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention General Session
(AFBF/Puerto Rico/Jan. 8, 2023) — American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall Opened 2023 AFBF Convention General Session this morning with an inspiring speech highlighting some of the great work the Farm Bureau family is doing throughout the country. Thank you! Good morning! Welcome to San Juan! I hope you’re having a good time enjoying the beauty that God …
2023 American Farm Bureau Convention Kicks Off Today
(AFBF/SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 6, 2023) — The 2023 American Farm Bureau Convention is officially underway. The convention is being held Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a virtual option for portions of the event available. Anchoring this year’s event is an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers. AFBF President Zippy Duvall will give his annual address to Farm Bureau members …
Alabama Laboratory Groundbreaking
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) held a groundbreaking for its new Pesticide Residue and Chemical Laboratory on Wednesday in Auburn. The Gilmer-Turnham Building, just down the street from the construction site, has been in use for over 50 years and was retrofitted from an animal diagnostics lab. The construction will set up half of the facility for …
Ag Groups Ask Congress to Prevent Potential Railroad Strike
More than 190 members of the Agricultural Transportation Working Group want Congress to prepare to help prevent a railroad strike or lockout. Beef Magazine says a strike or lockout would shut down all rail-dependent facilities and result in devastating consequences to both national and global food security. The Biden administration successfully helped broker an agreement between the National Railway Labor …