assessment

USDA Improves Livestock Crop Insurance Policies with New Options

Dan Cattle, Dairy, Economy, Livestock, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are updating livestock insurance policies to improve options for producers and to create more opportunities for producers to participate. USDA’s Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) has made updates to the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) policies. These updates will be effective for the 2022 and succeeding crop years. Updates to …

wotus

Financial Assistance Helps Ag Producers in Florida Improve Water Quality

Dan Economy, Environment, Florida, Irrigation, USDA-NRCS, Water

Agricultural producers in select watersheds in Florida can apply for financial assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) until May 31 to improve water quality in coastal waters. The lower Suwannee watersheds are Long Pond and Long Pond Slough in Levy County and the North Old Town Hammock watershed in Gilchrist and Dixie counties. If landowners show interest, NRCS proposes funding …

Cattle on Feed

U.S. Cattle on Feed Up 5 Percent

Dan Cattle, Economy, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s April Cattle on Feed Report indicates the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on April 1, 2021. The inventory was 5 percent above April 1, 2020 and is the second highest April 1 inventory …

food

Fertilizer Costs Shape Crop Production Expenses

Dan Economy, Field Crops, Fruits, Herbs, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports production costs for corn and other major commodities are shaped by fertilizer cost. From 2010 to 2019, fertilizer was a major expense in U.S. corn production, accounting for 33 to 44 percent of operating costs-a category that includes other variable expenses like seed, chemicals, fuel, and repairs. Fertilizer also comprised 16 to …

underserved

USDA Providing Outreach Funding

Dan Economy, Field Crops, General, Peanuts

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Tyron Spearman has more information. Visit farmers.gov/cfap for details on all eligible commodities, producer eligibility, payment limitations and structure and additional program resources.

modifying

Vilsack: Modifying CFAP to Get Help to Folks

Dan Coronavirus, Economy, General

Back on March 24th, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2). It’s part of a larger effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reach a greater share of farming operations and improve USDA pandemic assistance. Secretary Vilsack told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they’ve been looking at ways to expand assistance to producers. Vilsack …

ag economy

Ag Economy Barometer up 12 Points

Dan Economy

The Ag Economy Barometer rose in March to 177, the highest reading for the barometer since the record high reading of 184 in October. Organizers say this month’s 12-point rise in the barometer was attributable almost entirely to ag producers’ more optimistic view of the future. The Index of Future Expectations climbed to 164, 16 points above February’s index. Although …

alabama

Relief Program for Alabama Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Michael

Dan Alabama, Economy

(ADAI) — Commissioner Rick Pate announced the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will be administering the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) to provide USDA relief funds to farmers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael. In 2018, Alabama’s Wiregrass experienced substantial economic losses due to severe agriculture damage caused by Hurricane Michael. “Our department has worked closely with …

farmers

Alabama Poultry Producers Receive Relief through CARES Act Funds

Dan Alabama, Coronavirus, Economy, Poultry

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many facets of agriculture, including the poultry industry. In Alabama, commercial poultry production employs more than 86,000 workers industrywide. For this reason, Alabama Extension professionals helped develop and execute a plan to put poultry producers on the map when Alabama CARES Act funds were distributed in the agricultural sector. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension …

cattle

Vilsack Discusses New Assistance for Cattle Producers

Dan Cattle, Coronavirus, Economy, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This is part of a larger effort to reach a greater share of farming operations and improve USDA pandemic assistance. Talking to farm broadcasters Wednesday afternoon, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the overall goal of the new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers package. He …