USDA provided an update on upcoming disaster assistance during last week’s Cattle Industry Convention. The assistance is for agricultural producers impacted by weather-related disasters in 2020 and 2021. While speaking at the annual event Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Robert Bonnie, said “Over the past two years, as agricultural producers have struggled with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have …
New Anti-Competition Reporting Tool
Last week, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Justice (DOJ) launched a new tool where farmers and ranchers can anonymously report potentially unfair and anticompetitive practices in the livestock and poultry sectors. This can be done online at farmerfairness.gov. “This new online tool will help USDA and the Justice Department address anticompetitive actions and create livestock and poultry markets that …
Alabama Beef Programs Discussed with the Grocery Industry
Many from Alabama are representing cattle producers across the state this week at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston, Texas. One of those attending is Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Director of Education and Outreach, Ali Cantrell. While at the event, she plans to pick up the latest information to bring back to Alabama. But last week, she …
Georgia Beef Board Getting Beef Checkoff Updates
There will be quite a few cattle producers from Georgia in Houston this week for 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. One of those attending is Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Director of Public Relations Taylor Evans. She told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are there getting updates about the Beef Checkoff. For more information, contact the GBB office in Macon. …
USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Signups for 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that agricultural producers and landowners can now sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). USDA calls CRP a key tool in the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to address climate change and achieve other natural resource benefits. The General CRP signup begins today, January 31, and remains open through March 11. Then the Grassland CRP …
Tannenbaum Named FSA State Executive Director for Florida
The Biden Administration announced more appointments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regional positions, including some Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Directors. One of those named today was Deborah Tannenbaum, who has been appointed FSA State Executive Director for Florida. Most recently, Tannenbaum served as the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer …
Poultry Industry on High Alert for Avian Influenza
In the wake of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) being found in wild birds in the U.S., poultry producers here in the Southeast and across the country are asked to be on high alert. Gary Crawford has more details. HPAI is a serious disease and requires rapid response because it is highly contagious and often fatal to chickens. APHIS works with its federal, state, …
Farmers Reunite, Make Preparations During Georgia Cotton Commission Meeting
By Clint Thompson Wednesday, Jan. 26 was a day for reunions and planning during the annual Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) meeting at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. After the 2021 meeting was moved to a virtual format amid COVID-19, this year’s in-person meeting was held for the first time in two years. It …
USDA Investing in Partner Driven Conservation in Georgia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced up to $225 million in funding for conservation partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is being made available. RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. This year’s funding announcements include opportunities for projects that address climate change, benefit historically underserved …
Feral Swine Control Program Progressing Well in Alabama
We told you last April that funding through the 2018 Farm Bill allowed the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ASWCC) to launch a program to help property owners in certain areas of Alabama control feral swine. The Alabama Feral Swine Control Program, funded by a grant through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), allowed the ASWCC to launch a three-year program to help farmers …