The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. This includes availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option and a Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Initiative. These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities across the …
Deadline to Enroll in 2022 Dairy Margin Coverage Extended
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and the new Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) for 2022. ?The new deadline to apply is March 25, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC and SDMC signup in December 2021 to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and …
GCC Highlights Cotton Trust Protocol During Annual Meeting
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers about the importance of enrolling in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. It was one of the topics highlighted during the commission’s annual meeting on Jan. 26. Kent Fountain, chairman of the National Cotton Council, discussed the importance of growers continuing to enroll in the program, now that it is more …
USDA to Invest $1 Billion in Climate Smart Commodities
Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will deliver on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, …
Applications Being Accepted for RCPP Funding
In January, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced up to $225 million will be made available for conservation partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). It is a partner-driven program that leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby notes this year’s funding announcements include opportunities for projects that address climate …
USDA Providing Disaster Assistance
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 …