cover crops

Educational Videos on Cover Crops

Dan Citrus, Cover Crops, Education

Cover crops, typically planted in the early fall, deliver a host of agricultural and conservation benefits. Citrus growers have found that cover crops reduce water demand, thus saving substantial irrigation costs. In addition, cover crops provide support to beneficial insects, which help reduce pesticide requirements. In partnership with the Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District, two University of California Cooperative …

cover crops

Cover Crops Promising, But …

Dan Citrus, Cover Crops, Research

Scientist Sarah Strauss has learned some interesting and promising things about the use of cover crops in Southwest Florida citrus over the past 2.5 years. But the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher has not yet found that cover crops provide what growers seek most — increased yields. Use of the crops has also not yet …

Pandemic Cover Crop

USDA Offers New Pandemic Cover Crop Program

Dan Cover Crops, Peanuts

The Department of Agriculture announced this week that agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit if they planted cover crops this year. Tyron Spearman reports the new program is called the Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP). To learn more about PCCP click here.

bill

Producers with Crop Insurance to Receive Premium Benefit for Cover Crops

Dan Cover Crops, Crop Insurance, Economy, USDA-RMA

Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if they planted cover crops during this crop year. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), offered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), helps farmers maintain their cover crop systems, despite the financial challenges posed by the pandemic. …

usda

Florida Right to Farm Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Cover Crops, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Legislative, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pecans, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, Vegetables

Just hours after the Florida House gave final approval Thursday, a bill that would expand legal protections for farmers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the House voted 110-7 to support expanding the state’s “Right to Farm” law, a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. The Senate passed the bill (SB …

conservation

Conservation Program Improvements

Dan Citrus, Conservation, Cover Crops

The application deadline for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is March 26 for the fiscal year 2021.   Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and management …

farmers ppp payroll protection

Farmers Gain Improved Access to Small Business Support as PPP Reopens

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Cover Crops, Dairy, Equine, Field Crops, Forestry, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Peanuts, Pecans, Pollinators, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables, Wheat

(NMPF) — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is pleased that farmers who run their operations as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or otherwise self-employed individuals will have newly expanded access as soon as today to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under changes made in the COVID stimulus package Congress approved last month. Producers who were denied PPP loans or whose …

cover crops

Prioritize Cover Crops After Harvest Season

Dan Alabama, Cover Crops, Industry News Release

(ACES) — Cover crops are an investment. To get the most out of their investment, producers should manage cover crops to maximize benefits and minimize costs.  Audrey Gamble, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System soil scientist recommends producers place great emphasis on cover crops this winter. Cover Crop Benefits Many soils in Alabama have low levels of soil organic matter due …