(USDA/BRUNSWICK, GA/August 22, 2023) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making $150 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, available to help underserved and small acreage forest landowners connect to emerging voluntary climate markets. These markets can provide economic opportunities for landowners and incentivize improved forest health …
Cammack Expects Tough Battle for Farm Bill
There’s just over a month until the current farm bill expires, and some lawmakers are gearing up for a tough fight. Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) spoke at the Sweetener Symposium in California last week and said she’s expecting a battle over the farm bill. In an interview with us on Monday, she explained some of the issues she expects. …
USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act
A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act (HPA) requirements. Announced last week, the proposed changes aim to eliminate horse soring, a practice that gives horse owners and trainers an unfair advantage in …
Applications Now Being Accepted for Peanut Leadership Academy
Applications are now being accepted for the Peanut Leadership Academy Class XIII. According to Tyron Spearman, participants of the Academy are taught how to become more effective spokespeople for the peanut industry. To download a copy of the upcoming class application, visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. Applications must be postmarked or emailed to jessie@gapeanuts.com by Oct. 1, 2023, for consideration. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides …
Ag Lenders Donate to Hawaii Relief Efforts
The ag lending industry is sending help to Hawaii. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farm Credit Association, American AgCredit, rural banking partner CoBank, and The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, also known as Farmer Mac, are donating $40,000 to Maui Food Bank to help aid during the devastating wildfires that are wreaking havoc in Hawaii. AgCredit CEO Curt …
Invasive Hornet Found in Georgia
An invasive hornet is found alive in the U.S. for the first time in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture says the living Yellow-Legged Hornet a non-native hornet species, that, if allowed to establish in Georgia, could potentially threaten honey production, native pollinators, and the state’s number one industry – agriculture. Earlier this month, a beekeeper in Savannah, GA, found …
Alabama Beef Producers Encouraged to Vote in Checkoff Referendum
Coming up in a few days, a big vote will be taking place for beef producers across Alabama. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President, Erin Beasley, says it will soon be time to vote in the Alabama State Beef Checkoff Referendum. Click here to learn more about the Referendum. But that vote again will take place August 24th. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …
U.S. Tractor Sales Growth Softens
Self-propelled combine sales continued to increase in the U.S. while total farm tractor unit sales declined in July. The latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says overall unit sales of U.S. combines rose almost 11 percent compared to July 2022, while tractor sales dropped five percent. The tractor decline was driven largely by the softness in the smaller horsepower …
Study Shows Positive Economic Impact of Soil Health
A new study links soil health and farm profitability. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Soil Health Institute (SHI) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the results of a nationwide study showing how improving soil health can improve a farmer’s profitability. The study shows farmers can build resilience across a diversity of soil types, …
Excellent First Half for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports below Record Pace
According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports concluded an excellent first half of 2023 with another strong performance in June. As for beef exports, while well below the record pace established in 2022, June exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to …