Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) submitted public comments to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the interim Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) rule. RCPP was first created in the 2014 Farm Bill, and conservation districts across the country have successfully applied for, partnered with and led a large portion of all projects since the program’s …
USDA SECURE Rule Paves Way for Agricultural Innovation
(Washington, D.C., May 14, 2020) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a final rule updating and modernizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act. The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule will bring USDA’s plant biotechnology regulations into the 21st century by removing duplicative and antiquated processes in order to …
America’s Meatpacking Facilities Practicing Safe Reopening to Ensure a Stable Food Supply
(Washington, D.C., May 8, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the United States. These meatpacking facilities have resumed or plan to resume operations this week following President Trump’s Executive Order directing the facilities to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of …
New Fungicide from AgBiome Innovations
Maintaining your crops is as important now as it’s ever been, and AgBiome Innovations can help. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked with Bond McInnes, technical service manager at AgBiome, about their company and a new product, Howler. It’s a broad spectrum fungicide that can be used effectively at every phase of production. Learn more about AgBiome and Howler fungicide at …
Secretary Perdue Issues Letters on Meat Packing Expectations
(Washington, D.C., May 6, 2020) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue last night sent the following two letters to governors across the nation and leadership of major meat processing companies. These letters establish the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) clear expectations for the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order signed last week. The President’s Executive Order directs plants …
Another Meatpacking Plant Suspends Operations
Tyson Foods announced it will be suspending operations indefinitely at its plant in Waterloo, Iowa, which is its largest U.S. pork plant. That plant’s closure means approximately 15% of pork processing capacity across the country has gone offline. More than 150 of the country’s largest meat plants are in counties where the rate of COVID-19 infections is already relatively high. …
Perdue on Relief for Farmers Through CFAP
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). It will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. In a phone interview with AgNet Media, Perdue discussed the challenges many farmers have encountered. Perdue told us the program will provide immediate relief for farmers and ranchers …
Farm Groups Defend Glyphosate Reregistration
(NAFB) — A coalition of commodity groups seeks to block a challenge that would toss out the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to reregister glyphosate. The group filed a joint motion to intervene on April 20 in the case to support EPA’s decision. The Natural Resources Defense Council is challenging the reregistration approval. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used …
Lawmakers Seek Support for Local Media
(NAFB) — More than 200 lawmakers seek federal assistance for local news and media outlets suffering from the lack of advertising funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers say that in times of emergency and disaster, the public turns to their local media, and advertising plays an incredible role in funding those outlets. A letter to the Trump administration says …
COUNTRY Financial Ready to Help Farmers Plan for Retirement
There are many business decisions that need to be considered for farmers who are close to retirement. COUNTRY Financial Senior Financial Specialist Tom Royer, talked with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman about these decisions. They also talk about what areas farmers need to look at in order to prepare for a successful retirement. Financial professionals can help farmers plan for success …