U.S. Department of Agriculture
The 2014 forecast of total red meat and poultry production is lowered from last month as higher beef production is more than offset by lower pork, broiler, and turkey production.
Livestock producers are eligible for USDA drought aid.
The changes stemming from the new farm bill take effect immediately.
A lot rests on whether or not we will sufficiently cut corn acres. Research firms go through this exercise every year to try to guess what we farmers will do.
Some farmers may not participate if premiums are raised for the highest-income operations, as the Senate farm bill would do.
Global weather highlights reflect volatile weather in China.
USDA loans account for about 132,000 mortgages a year in areas designated by the agency as rural, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.