Florida Peanut Rust and Ag Exports on Record Pace
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Although Florida peanut growers have been battling wet weather and diseases like leaf spots and white mold all season long, one disease they may not have on their radar is peanut rust.
According to www.morningagclips.com, generally uncommon in Florida, peanut rust was found in Florida research plots in the Suwannee Valley last week, about a week earlier than last year.
Rust infestations can start small, but if not found and treated within a week or two can snowball into a full-blown management issue.
www.morningagclips.com/peanut-rust-found-in-florida-sentinel-plots/
**Farmers previously ineligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 can now apply for aid thanks to collaboration between the American Farm Bureau, lawmakers and USDA.
www.agrimarketing.com reports, up to $1 billion will be made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act to livestock, poultry and specialty crop producers who suffered losses in 2020.
The American Farm Bureau first raised concern about farmers being left out of the aid package in May 2020.
www.agrimarketing.com/s/137568
**The USDA’s quarterly trade forecast shows U.S. ag exports not only continue at a record-setting pace for fiscal year 2021, but will eclipse the 2021 total next year.
The 2021 forecast of $173.5 billion is 24% higher than the 2020 total and nearly $17 billion above the record set in 2014.
In 2022, U.S. farm and food exports are projected $4-billion higher at a record $177.5 billion.
