NRCS Program Helping to Build Healthy Forests

Since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted back in December, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working to implement programs that offer strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers. One of those programs is the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP). It helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and …

Cotton Crop, Peanut Harvest Progress

U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Meteorologist Mark Brusberg has the latest crop report information that shows cotton development and harvest are ahead of schedule in most places. Brusberg also provides the latest report on peanut harvest progress.   In Alabama, 97 percent of the cotton bolls were open, which compares to 93 percent last year at this time. Forty-eight percent …

Cultivating Shallots from Your Garden

Cathy Isom has a few great tips for you today about growing, and cultivating your own shallots . That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’ve grown onions, you’ll have no problem cultivating shallots. These gourmet onion-like veggies resemble small onions. Cook them, and they’ll infuse a delicate onion flavor into whatever dish you’re cooking. While shallots and …

ARC and PLC Payments Being Processed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that agricultural producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2020 crop year. Tyron Spearman reports that producers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than $1.5 billion for covered commodities for which payments were triggered under such programs. …

USDA Deputy Secretary Provides Farm Bill Update

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing last Thursday. U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky discussed implementation of the 2018 farm bill. Read Censky’s full testimony. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources …

Alabama Auctioneer Wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Qualifier

Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming auctioneers qualify for World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. Chuck Bradley, Rockford, Ala., was named Champion at the 2020 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Western Regional Qualifying Event. Crawford Livestock Market, LLC in Crawford, Neb., hosted the first of three WLAC qualifying events on Friday, Oct. 11. A total of …

September Equipment Sales Results

(NAFB) — September was a fairly solid month overall for retail sales of tractors and combines in the United States and Canada, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Total farm tractor sales in the U.S. increased 18.7 percent in September compared to last year, while combine sales increased 12.3 percent. Year to date, total U.S. …

Farm Equipment Leasing Doubles

(NAFB) — A new report shows the leasing of farm equipment has nearly doubled since 2012. The Wall Street Journal reports Deere & Co. is spending billions of dollars each year on its own equipment for leasing programs. Records show that more than one-third of financed purchases of high horsepower machinery made by John Deere is being leased to farmers …

New Fertilizer Technology May Help Farmers Reduce Nitrogen Load

LIVE OAK, FL (UF/IFAS-Oct. 21, 2019) — In the Suwannee Valley, farmers are diligently searching for solutions, or Best Management Practices (BMPs), to efficiently use fertilizers in crop production. At the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley (UF/IFAS NFREC-SV), a team led by Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Extension regional specialized agent for vegetable crops and assistant center …

Growing Your Own Tasty Blackberries

If you want to grow your own tasty fruit, Cathy Isom has picked the one for you. In today’s program she has tips on how to grow your own blackberries. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Blackberries are insanely tasty, are pretty trouble-free, and are totally worth your time.  They are a native plant in the United States, …