The American Farm Bureau Federation today urged USDA to reverse its decision to cancel livestock and crop surveys that are crucial to the success of America’s farmers and ranchers. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently announced it would no longer provide a July cattle inventory survey, as well as county-level estimates for crops and livestock and the objective yield survey for cotton.
Read MoreAmerica’s farmers and ranchers are leading the way in greenhouse gas emission reduction through voluntary conservation efforts and market-based incentives. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022. The report shows American agriculture reduced emissions by almost 2% from 2021 to 2022, the largest decrease of any economic sector.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation says tax reform in 2025 could be more complicated if Congress fails to pass a farm bill this year.
Managing Director of Government Affairs Ryan Yates tells Brownfield, “We’re not looking forward to having those two issues overlap in the next Congress, but if that’s what Congress chooses to do, so be it,” “We’ll be there to tell our story,” he says.
Read MoreThe House Committee on Agriculture laid out a roadmap to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America’s farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group (ALWG) released its final report on how to improve the H-2A guest worker program. It includes more than 20 recommendations to streamline the program and make labor more affordable for farmers.
“We are losing farms in America at a rapid pace and there is no question that our broken workforce system is partly to blame,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.
Read MoreThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) responded to American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) concerns and affirmed that regulations intended for Wall Street should not extend to America’s family farms. The SEC voted today on its final climate disclosure rule and removed the Scope 3 reporting requirement, which would have required public companies to report the greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain.
Read MoreEye injuries on the farm or ranch can translate into pain and related eye diseases along with loss of time, money, and possibly one’s eyesight. That is why, during Agricultural Safety Awareness Week (March 4-8), Louisiana Farm Bureau reminds everyone to consider eye safety recommendations with fresh eyes.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union sent a letter today requesting that USDA bring stability to Class I milk prices. The letter, sent jointly by AFBF President Zippy Duvall and NFU President Rob Larew, asks Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue an interim final decision to return the Class I mover formula to the “higher of” the Class III or IV calculations, as it was before the 2018 farm bill.
Read MoreFarmers can expect the largest recorded year-to-year dollar drop in net farm income in 2024. Income is estimated to be nearly $40 billion lower this year compared to 2023, down more than 25%. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the latest USDA data in a Market Intel.
Net farm income is the profit farmers see after paying for operating expenses. Two major factors are impacting income forecasts – lower prices paid to farmers for crops and livestock, and increased costs for supplies.
Read MoreAmerica’s families might soon see record-high beef prices at the grocery store, thanks to the lowest cattle inventory in more than 70 years. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the USDA inventory report in the latest Market Intel.
There were 87.2 million cattle and calves in the United States as of Jan. 2, 2024, 2% lower than the same time in 2023. It’s the lowest inventory since 1951. Just four years ago, there were almost 95 million cattle in the U.S.
Read MoreUSDA’s January and July Cattle Inventory reports, released toward the end of each respective month, provide the total inventory of beef cows, milk cows, bulls, replacement heifers, other steers and heifers, and the calf crop for the current year. With drought and high input costs compelling farmers to market a higher-than-normal percentage of female cattle, the most recent cattle inventory dropped to lows not seen in decades.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the passage last night of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act in the House of Representatives by a vote of 357 to 70.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the launch of a new Agriculture Trade Caucus in the House of Representatives.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the agency to issue a final decision on an emergency basis to speed the implementation of the “higher-of” Class I mover formula to buffer dairy farmers from further losses during the forthcoming Federal Milk Marketing Order rulemaking process.
Read More
