The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama is announcing an expanded opportunity for climate-smart agriculture in 2023. Updates include statewide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts. These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities in Alabama, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to support climate-smart agriculture. “Climate change is happening, …
Farm Share of U.S. Food Dollar Reached Historic Low in 2021
U.S. farm establishments received 14.5 cents per dollar spent on domestically produced food in 2021—a decrease of 1.0 cent from a revised 15.5 cents in 2020. The figure is the lowest recorded farm share value in nearly three decades, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. The remaining portion of the food dollar—known as the marketing share—covers the costs of getting …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association President on Membership, Convention
Cattle producers from across Alabama were in Montgomery two weeks ago for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Fall Quarterly Board Meeting. Various issues were discussed, including membership and how that number is near the 10,000 mark once again. ACA President, Jim Jordan from Clay County, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman why having that number of members is so important. More information about …
FCA to Hold Year End Quarterly Meeting
The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) will be holding their Year End Quarterly Meeting this week. The two-day event, December 1-2, will take place in West Port St. Lucie at the STEM Center building at Indian River State College, Pruitt Campus. It kicks off Thursday morning at 7:00 with a Legislative Committee Meeting. The FCA Executive Board Meeting starts at 8:30am with the Allied …
Senate Action Needed on Key Ag Trade Nominees
With important trade negotiations on the horizon, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says there is an urgent need for the U.S. Senate to confirm two key nominees. These nominations advanced from the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Agriculture Committee, respectively, back in September. And Halstrom notes that the first negotiating round for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is rapidly …
NRCS Programs Underway in New Fiscal Year
Efforts to streamline and build upon USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs and services were a part of the preparations for the new fiscal year that started October First. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says this was helped by funding through the inflation reduction act. He wants to remind producers and landowners about the conservation technical assistance that NRCS provides. Cosby notes how …
Comment Extension for Packers and Stockyards Act Rulemaking Welcomed
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a 45-day extension of the comment period for the proposed rule titled, “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the extension while urging USDA to proceed in a cautious, deliberative manner. NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer, explains why this extension …
USDA Announces Plans for a Section 32 Purchase of American Lamb Products
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans for a Section 32 purchase of American lamb products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. The purchase was a request by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the National Lamb Feeders Association earlier this year. Support for the purchase also came from congressional delegations from several Western states in recent months. “We …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
It’s time for our weekly “Around the State with Commissioner Rick Pate”. Commissioner, I understand it’s time for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Can you tell our listeners a little more about that? We encourage farmers to respond to the Census of Agriculture today because it is Your Voice, Your Future, Your Opportunity. For more information or assistance, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus or call 888-424-7828. …
NCBA CEO on Importance of FMD Vaccine Bank
We told you earlier this month that President Biden had signed a memorandum titled “National Security Memorandum to Strengthen the Security and Resilience of U.S. Food and Agriculture”. One of those attending that event was National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall which including a briefing with senior federal law enforcement and homeland security officials. Woodall explains what some of the …