The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced it has begun accepting applications for disaster assistance funding through the Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners and producers in recovering from damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Approximately $26 million will be made available for EQIP disaster assistance applicants to …
Southeast Producers Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Receive Indemnity Payments
Southeast producers suffering Hurricane Helene related damages and losses will soon receive indemnity payments under a federal crop insurance product. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the counties that have triggered for payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Helene. As a result, Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) have 30 days to issue payments …
Four Start-ups Advance in 2025 Ag Innovation Challenge
Four start-up companies have advanced to the final round of the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, competing for a top prize of $100,000. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, hosts the annual contest to highlight entrepreneurship in agriculture. “This competition helps entrepreneurs grow their ideas into products that support farmers and ranchers in their …
ODMAP for Organic Dairy Grower Support
USDA announced another round of funding applications are being accepted through its Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program. Rod Bain has more. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Farmers Face Jan. 1 Deadline to File Federal Ownership Reports
Thousands of farmers could face severe penalties, including fines and jail time, if they do not meet a new federal reporting deadline. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires businesses, including many farms, to submit Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) by January 1, 2025. A recent analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) estimates that more …
Chef Competition in Vietnam Highlights Taste and Quality of U.S. Pork
Chefs from across Vietnam recently competed in Porkstars, a cooking competition now in its third year, designed to promote creative uses of U.S. pork. The live streamed event is a collaboration between the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the National Pork Board, the Indiana Soybean Alliance, and the Indiana Corn Marketing Board. Indiana soybean grower Chris Eck traveled to Vietnam for …
New Oat Germplasm Lines Developed to Combat Crown Rust
A team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists has released two new oat germplasm lines, CDL-111 and CDL-167, to strengthen defenses against crown rust, the most damaging fungal disease affecting oats. Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, can reduce grain yields by up to 50% if left untreated. The new lines are designed to be …
Research Reveals Long-Term Decline in Wild Bee Populations
In South Michigan, an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist and her collaborators have used historical bee collections and advanced technology to uncover key ecological trends in pollinators. The findings could help shape new conservation efforts aimed at protecting bee diversity, which is vital for environmental stability and agricultural productivity. Kelsey Graham, a scientist with the ARS Pollinating Insect Research Unit, …
NCBA Releases Findings from Cattle Producer Tax Survey
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a report analyzing data collected in a nationwide tax survey of America’s cattle producers. With the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of 2025, NCBA collected this survey data to better understand how key tax provisions, such as Death Tax relief and business deductions, impact family-owned cattle …
FDACS Urges USDA to Issue Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton Agricultural Damage
~ Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment Estimates Losses at $1.5 – $2.5 Billion ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/October 17, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter to the United States Secretary of Agriculture formally requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s agricultural producers, compounding losses and …