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FSA Prepares for Direct Payment Sign-Up
Published May 13, 2020
The Farm Service Agency is preparing farmers and ranchers for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program direct payment sign-up. To sign-up, farmers will need to be in contact with their county FSA office to schedule an appointment. Due to the COVID-19…Spot Market Bill Introduced by Senators
Published May 13, 2020
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and Montana Senator Jon Tester have introduced a spot market bill. This would require each U.S. meat processing facility that harvests over 125,000 head of cattle per year to purchase 50 percent of weekly slaughter volume…Ag Industry Leaders Look at the Food Supply Chain
Published May 13, 2020
After a slow down and closures, meat packing plants are starting to run again. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the industry turned a corner, but capacity is still low. "We're going to have meat protein for the future," says Perdue.…Changes Coming for Payment Limits in COVID-19 Relief
Published May 13, 2020
Payment limits of $125,000 per commodity and $250,000 per entity were part of the COVID-19 agricultural assistance package from USDA. That was considered unworkable by numerous commodity groups. In a webinar organized by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber, House…Crop Watch
Published May 12, 2020
Fieldwork varies across the Northern Plains. "In the western part of North Dakota, conditions look alright. Moving east and north, there are some wet pockets of ground that is taking awhile to get into," said Spencer Wagner, ag sales manager,…Ethanol Demand Surprises Trade
Published May 12, 2020
An increase in ethanol demand in the USDA May Supply and Demand report surprised traders. "The markets didn't see the bear get fed in the U.S. figures," said Mike Zuzolo, president, Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting. "What really surprised me…Global Corn Production May Also Hit a Record
Published May 12, 2020
USDA expects record world 2020/21 corn production and use and larger ending stocks. Ending stock are expected to be 339.6 million metric tons. Global soybean production is forecast to be up 26.6 million tonnes to 362.8 million, with the Brazil…USDA Forecasts Record Corn Production
Published May 12, 2020
USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate projects U.S. new crop corn production at a record 16 billion bushels on a yield of 178.5 bushels per acre. Corn usage is expected to rise 245 million bushels to 6.6 billion bushels.…NPPC Calls for Federal Response
Published May 12, 2020
The National Pork Producers Council is seeking immediate federal assistance to deal with a financial disaster due to COVID-19. Even with plants opening up, the NPPC estimates up to 10 million hogs will have no place to go over the…