USDA to Allow States Flexibility for SNAP

The U.S. Ag Department (USDA) sent a letter to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) advising them that changes will be coming to the program. The Hagstrom Report says USDA will allow states more flexibility in managing SNAP. Brandon Lipps, the acting undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumers services says the USDA will allow more flexibility in …

USDA Announces Sorghum Checkoff Board Appointments

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of five members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board. The producers appointed to serve three year terms are: Klint G. Stewart Columbus, Neb. Carlton Bridgeforth, Decatur, Ala. Verity Ulibarri, Melrose, N.M. Shayne C. Suppes, Scott City, Kan. Charles Ray Huddleston, Celina, Texas “The United Sorghum Checkoff Program helps sorghum producers …

Perdue: U.S. Farm Exports to Continue Strong in FY 2018

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) export forecast. “This quarterly trade forecast reflects the fact that U.S. agricultural exports are continuing strong in the 2018 fiscal year. We just closed out FY 2017 with the third-highest export total on record and I’m delighted to see that FY 2018 is …

FSA County Election Deadline Looming

The deadline to return Farm Service Agency county committee election ballots is approaching. The Department of Agriculture says eligible producers must return the ballots to their local FSA office, or be postmarked by December 4th, 2017, to ensure their votes are counted. FSA acting administrator Steve Peterson says approximately 1.5 million producers are eligible to vote in this year’s election, …

USDA Revises 2018 Beef, Pork and Dairy Forecasts

USDA has revised their beef, pork and dairy production and price forecasts for 2018. Gary Crawford has the report.         Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida …

USDA Designates 83 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 83 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 2017. Those counties are: Appling Crisp Lee Stewart Atkinson Decatur Liberty Sumter Bacon Dodge Long Tattnall Baker Dooly Lowndes Taylor Ben Hill Echols McIntosh Telfair Berrien …

Some Good News for Corn in the Latest USDA WASDE Report

Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated a corn crop for 2017 higher than U.S. farmers have ever realized, coming in with a whopping 175.4 bushels to acre average. That would equate to a record 14.578 billion bushels of corn harvested this year. The yield guess was significantly higher than analysts like Mike Zuzolo from Global Commodity Analytics was …

Secretary Perdue Launches Veteran Resources at USDA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the launch of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources to provide comprehensive and timely support to veterans interested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. The resources include a new website and a USDA-wide AgLearn curriculum to allow all employees to understand the unique opportunities offered to our nation’s veterans. “From the beginning …