NACD Calls to Increase Funding for Conservation Priorities

This past Saturday, President Biden signed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations legislation into law that provides funding for several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. And while the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) appreciates that the enactment of final federal spending legislation prevents a government shutdown and …

Latest General CRP Acreage Enrollment Period Underway

Producers have until March 29th to enroll acreage in USDA’s General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Rod Bain has more in today’s This Land of Ours. Listen to Rod Bain’s This Land Of Ours program here. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm …

Georgia Peanut Commission Holding Referendum March 8-April 8

TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) will be holding a referendum from March 8 through April 8, providing peanut producers an opportunity to vote on reaffirming the commission. State law mandates a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs. The …

Disease Mortality Gap Growing Between Rural and Urban Areas

The difference between rural and urban is growing when it comes to disease mortality. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, disease-related mortality rates have widened between rural and urban areas, especially for the prime working-age population, aged 25–54. Researchers with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) compared natural-cause mortality in rural and urban areas …

New Resource for Maximizing Cattle Profitability

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and CattleFax helps producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions. The resource is called “Right Way, Right Time – A Guide to Cull Cattle Management” (.pdf) and is now available. With effective planning, cull cattle can be a significant source of revenue and should not be overlooked. Cull cattle …

USDA Announced Bobwhite Pilot Project, General CRP Signup

A new conservation initiative from NRCS. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a new conservation initiative, the Working Lands for Wildlife’s Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project. NRCS has also announced the signup dates for USDA’s General Enrollment signup in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which opens March 4. Both conservation opportunities give …

Productivity the Major Driver of U.S. Agricultural Growth

Technological developments in agriculture have enabled continued output growth without requiring much additional inputs, according to a new USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) report. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have made it possible for total agricultural output to nearly triple between 1948 and 2021. During that period, the amount of inputs used in farming …

AMS Grant Programs Available

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is now accepting applications for three grant programs, each with a unique focal point in promoting, marketing, and securing products. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Program Jenny Moffitt tells us more about the grants. Listen to Sabrina Halvorson’s program here. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune …

Farm Conservation One Key to Fighting Climate Change

Last year was a record setting year for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). When it comes to conservation work, some 2.8 billion dollars was spent on various projects across the country. That was NRCS Chief, Terry Cosby, who says these farm conservation projects can help fight climate change. For fiscal year 2024, NRCS has $3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds …