USDA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities Amid Ongoing Pandemic

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15, 2021. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30, 2021. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting written agreement requests and …

Deadline for Seafood Trade Relief Program Coming Up

(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds fisherman of the Jan. 15 deadline to apply for the Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP), which provides support for fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. For more information on the program, including guidance on how to apply, visit farmers.gov/seafood or call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to …

Various Crops Qualify for Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) this week started signup for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program. Eligible crops include those for which federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage is available, except for grazed crops and value loss crops. Tyron Spearman has more details. Quality Loss Adjustment Program Did you suffer crop quality losses due to natural …

Farm & Biofuel Coalition Rejects EPA’s Excuses

(RFA) — A coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed its reply in support of its motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. The motion, originally filed on November 23, 2020, asks the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500 …

CRP General Signup Underway

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced earlier this week that signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is underway. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), CRP provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce told Southeast AgNet this CRP signup gives producers and landowners an opportunity to enroll for the first time …

Farmland Prices May Rise in 2021

(NAFB) — After years of stability, farmland prices may be set to rise in 2021. Farm Journal’s Ag Web Dot Com says factors are coming together that may be about to send the price of land higher. Some of the key factors include government support for farmers, stronger commodity prices, low interest rates, limited farmland for sale, and strong interest …

13 Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 13 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Autauga, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Zeta that occurred from October 28 through October 29, 2020, may be eligible …

Five Florida Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated five Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Sally, high winds, excessive rains and flooding that occurred from Sept. 14 through Sept. 19, 2020, may be eligible for U.S. …