Enrollment Ends Dec. 13, 2019 WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 7, 2019) — Dairy producers can now enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for calendar year 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened signup for the program that helps producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. “We know it’s tough out there for American farmers, including …
Managing Weeds Crucial During Droughts
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-Oct. 7, 2019) — Recent drought conditions have made herd care difficult for Alabama livestock producers. As conditions worsen and desirable vegetation declines, established weeds are often the last plants standing. During this time, livestock may be tempted to eat these weeds. This can be problematic because certain species have the potential to cause health problems. It …
USDA Announces Support for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will issue $16.2 million in grants (PDF) to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the …
Registration Opens for Massive 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show
Cattle Industry Members Invited to “Deep in the Heart” Event in San Antonio Feb. 5-7 DENVER (NCBA-Oct. 4, 2019) — Registration and housing for the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade show is now open. The annual convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 5-7, 2020, and it’s recommended attendees register early, as convenient housing will fill …
Leaders Urged to Take ‘Risks’ in Michael Recovery
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-Oct. 4, 2019) — Northwest Florida does not have the luxury of time as it slowly recovers from devastating Hurricane Michael, one of the nation’s best-known disaster recovery experts advised a group trying to rally support for the region this week. With the one-year anniversary of the deadly Category 5 storm next week, Craig Fugate, a former head …
Ag Groups Respond to Trump Administration Announcement Upholding the RFS
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA-Oct. 4, 2019) — The National Corn Growers Association welcomed an announcement from President Trump directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow the letter of the law and keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) whole. The RFS and corn farmers have repeatedly come under attack from big oil and the EPA, including the most recent …
Trump Delivers on a Key Promise to American Farmers
WASHINGTON, (USDA-October 4, 2019) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue issued the following statements after President Donald J. Trump successfully negotiated an agreement on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): “President Trump’s leadership has led to an agreement that continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Celebrates Grand Opening of New State Laboratory
Kissimmee, FL (FDACS-Oct. 3, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and former agriculture commissioner Charles H. Bronson participated in the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory (BADDL). A state-of-the-art $11 million state facility, the Bronson Lab is Florida’s only animal disease diagnostic laboratory fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The new …
Lease End Could Help Everglades Reservoir Plan
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-Oct. 3, 2019) — The sugar grower Florida Crystals has agreed to the early end of a controversial lease on land south of Lake Okeechobee that is envisioned for a stormwater-treatment area linked to a new reservoir. An extension of the lease last November by the South Florida Water Management District in the Everglades Agricultural Area resulted in …
NCBA Exposes Relationship of OCM and HSUS
WASHINGTON (NCBA-Oct. 3, 2017) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, released the following statement in response to a Nebraska rally demanding government intervention to alleviate price disparities impacting cattle markets: “Yesterday, an HSUS-funded organization called the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) held a rally in Omaha, Nebraska entitled the “Rally to Stop …