The FBI and the USDA assess the Food and Agriculture (FA) Sector is increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks as farmers become more reliant on digitized data.

Northeast U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation calling for modifications to the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), potentially leading to state-level income margin calculations.

Washington Post writer Thomas Heath says community banks are tired of unfair competition and the Farm Credit System (FCS) needs to be reined in, citing loans to Cracker Barrel, restaurants, car washes, casinos, Verizon Wireless and even for vacation homes. This creates unfair tax advantages and low interest rates that unfairly squeeze community bank competition.

Two letters went to Congress on April 11 supported by agricultural groups to urge the passing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) this year.

With China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) more active buyers, February U.S. alfalfa hay exports were the highest since November 2015, according to latest estimates from USDA’s Foreign Ag Service.

Hay and straw producers can add value to their products by achieving weed-free forage certification through the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA).

U.S. hay producers intend to harvest 54.3 million acres of all hay in 2016, according to the USDA’s annual Prospective Plantings report released March 31.

In 2012, the average age of a farmer was 58.3 years old, continuing a 30-year trend of an increasingly older demographic in agriculture. Recognizing the need to support young farmers, the latest Thank You Farmers initiative from Culver’s encourages franchisees and the Culver’s Support Center in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, to sponsor the cost of purchasing FFA jackets for members who otherwise wouldn’t be able to own this special attire.

The National Hay Association (NHA) is accepting applications for a full-time contractor to act as the executive director of the NHA. Applicants should be energetic and passionate about their work; they must be organized and detail oriented; and have good communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of the forage industry is important. Job location is open for discussion pending board approval.