Direct payments to U.S. farmers are at an all-time high as the nation prepares for a national election next month. Record government subsidies, much needed in the turbulent trade environment and coronavirus pandemic, are projected to make up more than a third of farm income in 2020. In a report by Reuters, the aid…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
DMC Enrollment Starts Next Tuesday
The Department of Agriculture announced the enrollment period this week, set for Tuesday, October 13th, through December 11, 2020. The Dairy Margin Coverage Program, known as DMC, is a voluntary risk management program that offers dairy producers protection when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price, the margin, falls below a…… MORE
Coronavirus Impact on Ag Jobs
A special report from AgCareers highlights agriculture’s workforce and compensation during the Coronavirus pandemic. The special report provides a hyper-focus on the most critical components facing agribusinesses during COVID-19. The topics include workforce planning, wellness/benefit programs and compensation practices related to salary administration for 2020 and 2021. The report finds 81% of agribusinesses did…… MORE
Farmers More Optimistic
U.S. agricultural producers became more optimistic again in September. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed to 156, the highest reading for the index since the pandemic began last winter and 12 points higher than one-month earlier. Since July, the index is up 38 points and is 60 points higher than its 2020…… MORE
October is Cal Farmer & Farmworker Month
An agriculture industry promotional effort known as CA Grown is celebrating and highlighting the work of California’s farmers, farmworkers, and everyone whose work helps to keep the food supply chain flowing during the month of October.. According to a CA Grown press release “This month was born out of the desire to thank our farmers…… MORE
Cattle Markets Bill Introduced
South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson introduced the Price Reform in Cattle Economics Act. The House Ag Committee member says the bill would increase transparency in the cattle market, as well as improve risk management for producers and support new and existing meat processors. The Hagstrom Report says he wrote the bill as a response…… MORE
FFA Introduces “Agricultural Education for All”
The National FFA organization announced its new Agricultural Education for All roadmap. The plan outlines the strategies the organization is taking to support inclusion, diversity, and equity. The FFA wants to ensure that the organization is a bully-free zone that reflects society’s demographics in membership, leadership, and staff, and celebrates individuality. “FFA is building…… MORE
Governor Rejects Friant-Kern Canal Repair Legislation
Governor Gavin Newsome vetoed a bill that would have helped pay for part of the needed repairs on the Friant-Kern canal. In a statement, the governor says he did not sign senate bill 559 since this piece of legislation would benefit just one water project and not take in account future water needs for the…… MORE
Food Box Program Surpasses 100 Million Boxes
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says that more than 100 million food boxes have been distributed through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Perdue points out, “It is incredible to think that in a little more than five months, this food box program has gone from an idea to a reality that has provided…… MORE
Prop 12 Under Legal Attack
The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation seek to terminate California’s Proposition 12. The two groups recently jointly filed their opening brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, asking the court to strike California’s Proposition 12 as invalid. AFBF and NPPC say Proposition 12 imposes arbitrary animal…… MORE
