USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia reminds producers the deadline to apply for the fiscal year 2021 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding is April 2, 2021. While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline to ensure they are considered for 2021 funding. Through CSP, NRCS helps farmers, ranchers, …
Vilsack Discusses New Assistance for Cattle Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This is part of a larger effort to reach a greater share of farming operations and improve USDA pandemic assistance. Talking to farm broadcasters Wednesday afternoon, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the overall goal of the new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers package. He …
Ag Responds to USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers Funding
COVID-19 Aid Released and Expanded to Include More Producers (AFBF) — USDA announced its plans to distribute more than $12 billion under a program called Pandemic Assistance for Producers, which includes aid that had been put on hold as well as funds newly allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program assists farmers and ranchers who previously did not qualify for COVID-19 …
USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably
USDA Reopens Program Sign-Up to a Larger Share of Producers with Plans to Expand Outreach and New Programming (USDA) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader …
Florida NRCS Accepting CSP Renewal Applications Set to Close
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind producers they are accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for contracts set to end this year. Those with existing CSP contracts that close Dec. 31, 2021, can benefit from recent program changes by renewing their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to …
USDA Announces Intent to Pursue Rulemaking on RFID Use in Animal Disease Traceability
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announced Tuesday that after reviewing 944 public comments on a July 2020 notice that proposed to approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as the official ear tag for use in the interstate movement of cattle, RFID for efficient tracking, they have decided to use the rulemaking process for future activities related to this …
Cattle Feedlot Inventory Little Changed in Last Three Months
The March Cattle on Feed Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head was 12.0 million head on March 1, 2021, 2 percent above March 1, 2020. This is the second-highest March 1 inventory since the series …
Funding Awarded to Help Small and Mid-Sized Farms on National Ag Day
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated National Ag Day by investing $11.5 million in research to help ensure America’s small and medium-sized farming operations remain viable and improve the quality of life in American farm communities. “Few groups are as resilient and as determined as American farm families,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is …
Florida Timber Owner Pleased with CSP
Florida landowners are being reminded the deadline to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for the fiscal year 2021 funding is Friday, March 26. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and management techniques. …
USDA Seeks Innovative Partner-led Projects Delivering Sustainable Agricultural Solutions
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking proposals to fund up to $75 million in new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). Proposals need to take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional, and landscape scales. 15 projects will be funded this year through AFA, where partners have more flexibility …