Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will deliver on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, …
Record-Large Beef Exports Fuel Optimism
U.S. beef exports were near $10 billion in November, already shattering previous records, as we await the final numbers from December. Thus, international trade and the returns exports deliver for the U.S. industry were major topics of discussion during last week’s Cattle Industry Convention. Joe Schuele, with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), has more details. Through November, beef exports …
USDA-NASS Reports 2 Percent Drop in Sheep Inventory
Increased slaughter of mature sheep in 2021, thanks to drought and high mature ewe slaughter prices, played a role in a 2 percent decrease in the American sheep inventory as reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). As of Jan. 1, the American sheep and lamb inventory totaled 5.07 million head. Breeding sheep inventory was 3.71 million head, down 2 …
NASDA Asks EPA to Suspend Action on WOTUS Rulemaking
As many farm and agriculture groups submitted comments on the EPA’s proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S. rule, The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) asked the EPA to suspend the rule-making process. The comment period on the proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency closed Monday. In NASDA’s comments sent to EPA, CEO Ted McKinney urged …
Decreased Acreage? Not Necessarily for Georgia Cotton
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist Camp Hand does not believe Georgia acreage will decrease this year. Not when money can still be made at the current market prices. Speculation about acreage is running rampant amid high fertilizer prices. Since corn and cotton utilize more fertilizer, there are concerns that peanut acreage could increase in 2022. …
Prettiest Flowering Shrubs to Add to Your Landscape
Some of the prettiest flowering shrubs to add to your landscape can make a big difference. If you’re looking for expert advice on creating a stunning garden, check out Inspired Design in Grove City OH. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’re thinking about enclosing your yard with flowering hedges instead of fences to add color, texture, …
Applications Being Accepted for RCPP Funding
In January, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced up to $225 million will be made available for conservation partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). It is a partner-driven program that leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby notes this year’s funding announcements include opportunities for projects that address climate …
Northwest Florida Beef Cattle Conference & Trade Show is Wednesday
Cattle producers and ranchers from across the Southeast are invited to take part in the 37th annual Northwest Florida Beef Cattle Conference and Trade Show. It will be held on Wednesday, February 9th at the Jackson County Extension Office Auditorium in Marianna, Florida. Registration and Trade Show opens at 7:30am central time, the program starts at 8:15am, and concludes with a …
USDA Providing Disaster Assistance
USDA provided an update on upcoming disaster assistance during last week’s Cattle Industry Convention. The assistance is for agricultural producers impacted by weather-related disasters in 2020 and 2021. While speaking at the annual event Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Robert Bonnie, said “Over the past two years, as agricultural producers have struggled with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have …
New Anti-Competition Reporting Tool
Last week, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Justice (DOJ) launched a new tool where farmers and ranchers can anonymously report potentially unfair and anticompetitive practices in the livestock and poultry sectors. This can be done online at farmerfairness.gov. “This new online tool will help USDA and the Justice Department address anticompetitive actions and create livestock and poultry markets that …