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2024 Feedstuffs Feed Ingredient Analysis Table
It's back! Feedstuffs has updated its feed ingredient analysis values table of more than 100 commonly used feed ingredients.
Over $1.5 billion in damages already sustained by three other hurricanes in the past 13 months.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson recently sent a letter to the Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack formally requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton. Out of 51 Florida counties impacted by hurricane and tropical storm winds, 34 counties were listed by FEMA as disaster areas. Florida's agricultural producers experienced “catastrophic damage,” compounding losses and financial strain from previous storms. Based on initial reporting and communication with farmers, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ initial damage assessment estimates total losses to the agriculture industry between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion.
"Hurricane Milton has left a broad path of devastation, impacting our farmers and threatening Florida’s position as a leading agricultural producer. With four major hurricanes in just over a year, our agriculture communities have been hit repeatedly, causing unprecedented financial strain," said Commissioner Simpson. "We need the USDA's immediate support to help these family farms recover from yet another historic storm. The time to act is now."
In his letter to Secretary Vilsack, Commissioner Simpson urged the USDA to expedite the review process and make all available assistance through the Farm Service Agency and other USDA programs accessible to farmers.
The initial damage assessment of between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion is in addition to the over $1.5 billion in damage already sustained from Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby, and Hurricane Idalia in the past 13 months.
Agriculture contributes significantly to Florida's economy, accounting for a major share of the state’s $1.2 trillion gross domestic product. The state’s agricultural sector generates $8.88 billion annually in agricultural sales, per the latest USDA census. Given the widespread devastation, the Commissioner warned that without swift federal action, many agricultural operations could be lost.
On Oct. 15, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property — including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings — remove vegetative debris, and cover the cost of associated labor.
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