USDA Reopens Program Sign-Up to a Larger Share of Producers with Plans to Expand Outreach and New Programming (USDA) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader …
Florida Rancher Jim Strickland: Combat Climate Change Through Agriculture
(FDACS) — Sixth-generation Florida rancher Jim Strickland recently published an opinion piece on the important role Florida’s ranches play in combating climate change and preventing over-development. The op-ed was published in The Invading Sea, a collaboration of 25 Florida daily newspapers and WLRN Public Media reporting on climate change and environmental issues, and a project of the Florida Climate Reporting Network. Strickland is the owner …
No Big Changes in Peanut Reports
Neither the latest Peanut Crop Production nor Peanut Stocks and Processing reports from USDA are showing any big changes. Tyron Spearman runs through the new numbers. 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 To Researchers …
Florida NRCS Accepting CSP Renewal Applications Set to Close
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind producers they are accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for contracts set to end this year. Those with existing CSP contracts that close Dec. 31, 2021, can benefit from recent program changes by renewing their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to …
Alabama Extension Launches Crops Report Podcast
Alabama Extension wants producers across the state to know about the Alabama Crops Report Podcast. The podcast is where information about things like armyworms moving in or Southern rust conditions setting in can be found. The Alabama Extension crops team will bring their expertise to producers through this series, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. …
USDA Announces Intent to Pursue Rulemaking on RFID Use in Animal Disease Traceability
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announced Tuesday that after reviewing 944 public comments on a July 2020 notice that proposed to approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as the official ear tag for use in the interstate movement of cattle, RFID for efficient tracking, they have decided to use the rulemaking process for future activities related to this …
Cattle Feedlot Inventory Little Changed in Last Three Months
The March Cattle on Feed Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head was 12.0 million head on March 1, 2021, 2 percent above March 1, 2020. This is the second-highest March 1 inventory since the series …
OJ Could Address Fruit Shortfall in Adult Diets
While whole fruit consumption increased in adults between 2003 and 2016, the intake of several key nutrients decreased over time, a new study shows. Adding 100% orange juice (OJ) to the diet could help address this shortfall and bolster the intake of other key nutrients found in OJ. A cross-sectional analysis using the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination …
Best Dual-Purpose Breeds to Considering if Raising Sheep
One of the best dual-purpose breeds if you are considering raising sheep. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to understanding which breed is best for raising sheep, some say the Merino breed is the ideal option for small farms, while others are adamant that nothing will do but the Icelandic. If you’re thinking of raising …
Agriculture Must Be Prioritized for COVID-19 Vaccine
The American Farm Bureau Federation urges the Biden administration to make agriculture a priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sent a letter calling for the elimination of barriers to vaccine access for the country’s farmers and farm workers. “We fully appreciate and support that our nation’s heroic first responders, medical professionals, the elderly and caretakers, along with …