An agriculture industry collaboration, led by Growing Matters, wants everyone to be BeSure! when using neonicotinoid products on farms and urban landscapes. They are kicking off the third annual stewardship awareness campaign to promote best management practices. The BeSure! Campaign is reminding farmers, crop protection applicators, agricultural supply retailers, and others to ensure label directions and responsible stewardship measures are followed for neonicotinoid products, …
Alabama Poultry Producers Receive Relief through CARES Act Funds
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many facets of agriculture, including the poultry industry. In Alabama, commercial poultry production employs more than 86,000 workers industrywide. For this reason, Alabama Extension professionals helped develop and execute a plan to put poultry producers on the map when Alabama CARES Act funds were distributed in the agricultural sector. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension …
After Identifying Gaps in Previous Aid, USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably
USDA Reopens Program Sign-Up to a Larger Share of Producers with Plans to Expand Outreach and New Programming (USDA/FSA) — 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 set of …
CFAP 2 Reopening and Expanding
Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) was reopening for enrollment on April 5th. COVID-19 continues to impact Alabamians, especially farmers, so this updated program is designed to help replenish some of the financial loss. According to an article written by Mary Leigh Oliver, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), the first …
Georgia’s Warnock and Bishop Visit with Farmers
On Wednesday, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock was in the Southwest part of the state visiting agricultural producers at various stops. From fruit and vegetables to peanuts, cotton, pecans, and more. Warnock told Southeast AgNet’s Tyron Spearman this is such a huge sector in the Georgia economy. Also on that tour with Senator Warnock was Congressman Sanford Bishop, who told Spearman he was …
Fertilizer Prices Up Dramatically
Fertilizer prices are up dramatically this spring, increasing input costs for growers. Data from the Department of Agriculture shows prices are up between 17% and 57% since the fall. David Widmar of Agricultural Economics Insights says that while nitrogen often gets the most attention, phosphorus prices are up the most. Anhydrous ammonia and urea are up 37% from the fall, …
Vilsack Discusses New Assistance for Cattle Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This is part of a larger effort to reach a greater share of farming operations and improve USDA pandemic assistance. Talking to farm broadcasters Wednesday afternoon, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the overall goal of the new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers package. He …
Equipment Manufacturers Report Positive Outlook for 2021
(NAFB) — Equipment Manufacturers report a positive outlook for 2021, according to a new survey by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The survey found 88 percent of manufacturers report a positive outlook for 2021, while more than half expect sales to increase or remain stable despite the ongoing impact of the global pandemic. The online survey was targeted to employees …
Ag Responds to USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers Funding
COVID-19 Aid Released and Expanded to Include More Producers (AFBF) — USDA announced its plans to distribute more than $12 billion under a program called Pandemic Assistance for Producers, which includes aid that had been put on hold as well as funds newly allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program assists farmers and ranchers who previously did not qualify for COVID-19 …
USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably
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 …