According to the final 2021 trade data published this morning by the U.S. Department of Commerce, exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record set in 2014 by 14.6 percent. “These record-breaking trade numbers demonstrate that U.S. agriculture is incredibly resilient as it …
Agricultural Water Use Changes Proposed
Taylor Langford O’Bannon, food safety Extension agent for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), shared information on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed changes to the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule. The changes pertain specifically to Subpart E (Agricultural Water). “The proposed changes, if finalized, will replace the pre-harvest microbial quality criteria and testing …
Lower U.S. Agricultural Export Forecast
According to a new USDA forecast, prospects for U.S. agricultural export values in this new fiscal year, which started October 1st, are good. But, they are not as good as they seemed a few months ago. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer reviews the new forecast. Meyer explains why the reductions were made. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support …
New Campaign Being Developed to Promote Alabama Agriculture
We all know farmers work hard to produce healthy and sustainable products, while at the same time ensuring the next generation of their family has the resources needed to farm. But getting that message to consumers is quite a task. So an effort is underway in Alabama to do just that. Many agricultural groups in that state have come together …
Agriculture in the Sunshine State
Back in July of this year, an article written by Mark Hudson with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), hi-lighted Agriculture in the Sunshine State. And while he noted Florida’s recognized signature crop is citrus, there are other significant commodities. This of course includes vegetables, where the state ranks fourth among all states in total vegetables harvested acres. Most of these crops are grown beginning …
Agriculture Output and Labor Growth Projected
Real output in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting labor sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.3% from 2020 to 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported. That’s slightly higher than the 2.2% annual growth rate projected for the entire U.S. economy. According to the report, the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector is …
Robert Bonnie Confirmed as Under Secretary of Agriculture for FPAC
Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Bonnie as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As Under Secretary, Bonnie will oversee the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Risk Management Agency and FPAC Business Center. He will also manage the USDA’s Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Program. And various folks …
New Promotional Opportunity for Agritourism Venues
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is looking for orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more to showcase on a new app. The American Farm trail app is dedicated to connecting consumers with agritourism venues. Created by the Farm Bureau Foundation and sponsored by Corteva, the app allows farmers, ranchers and farm attraction managers to sign up for free …
USDA Invests $3 Billion in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers. The $3 billion in investments include assistance to address challenges and costs associated with drought, animal health, market disruptions for agricultural commodities and more. The support will be made available via the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Specifically, funds will be …
NASS Reviewing Acreage Earlier for Certain Crops
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced Wednesday it will review planted and harvested acreage for select crops earlier than normal. The crops under review include corn, cotton, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans and sugarbeets. NASS will review all available data, including survey data, satellite-based data, and the latest information from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency. They …