(USDA/FS) — The USDA Forest Service announced the publication of a final rule implementing key changes to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The changes include new tools and flexibilities to tackle critical land management challenges as part of a broader agency effort to better serve the American people through timely, high-quality management decisions affecting infrastructure, permitting and restoration …
NCBA & PLC Secure NEPA Improvements For Livestock Producers
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Natural Resources and the Public Lands Council (PLC) Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover released the following statement on the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) final rule to update the agency’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations: “Today’s announcement represents decades of work by livestock producers who have told the Forest Service and …
Farm Bureau Survey: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down 4%
(AFBF) — Thanksgiving celebrations will look different for many Americans this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatherings are likely to be fewer and farther between, with social distancing and perhaps even remote family get-togethers. One tradition that continues this year is the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. …
Amino Acid Helps Shore Up Defenses of Swine
(USDA/ARS) — A third round of feeding trials conducted by a team of USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists has again shown that a dietary supplement called L-glutamine can naturally promote growth and wellness in pigs. Jay S. Johnson, an animal scientist with ARS’s Livestock Behavior Research Unit in West Lafayette, Indiana, and his Purdue University collaborators are …
NCC Looks at End of Year Priorities
There will be many new faces in both the U.S. House and Senate when the 117th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, 2021. That includes at least 28 new cotton belt members from at least 12 states. But with Congress back in action for the lame duck session, Reece Langley, Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, …
Ag Community Wants EU Trade Tariffs Removed
America’s top agriculture commodity groups and trade associations sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer talking about European Union retaliatory tariffs on American goods. The groups, including Farmers for Free Trade, are asking Lighthizer to “deepen trade discussions” to help bring about World Trade Organization compliance and removal of the EU tariffs that target U.S. food and ag …
Ag Lender Survey Reveals Bankers’ Top Concerns
The Fall 2020 Agricultural Lender Survey report shows that ag lenders continue to remain focused on credit quality, even as the farm economy continues to work through the prolonged downturn caused by COVID-19. The survey is from the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, also known as Farmer Mac. Lenders continue to be most concerned about liquidity, …
Keeping Mums Looking Their Best in Cooler Months
How to keep your Mums looking their best in the cooler months. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Fall-blooming Mums are great perennials that will brighten up your porch as the weather gets cooler. Plus, you can overwinter them indoors if you want to add your potted mums to your garden in spring. Just be sure to pick …
Safe Food Production Training to be Available to Florida’s Small and Beginning Farmers
(UF/IFAS) — A new opportunity for Florida’s small and medium-sized produce farmers will become a reality with the support of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) grant designed to produce and provide easy-to-access training in safe food production methods to underserved farmers. Faculty from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida …
USDA Designates Two Florida Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Sally, high winds, excessive rains and flooding that occurred from Sept. 14 through Sept. 19, 2020, may be eligible for …