(ACES) — Cover crops are an investment. To get the most out of their investment, producers should manage cover crops to maximize benefits and minimize costs. Â Audrey Gamble, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System soil scientist recommends producers place great emphasis on cover crops this winter. Cover Crop Benefits Many soils in Alabama have low levels of soil organic matter due …
Open Signup for the Conservation Reserve Program and CRP Grasslands in Early 2021
(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the signup periods for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the CRP Grasslands in 2021. Signup for general CRP will be open from Jan. 4, 2021, to Feb. 12, 2021, and signup for CRP Grasslands runs from March 15, 2021 to April 23, 2021. Both programs are competitive and provide annual …
Eta Leaves Florida, but Be Prepared for More
(NSF) — Tropical Storm Eta made its second landfall in Florida Thursday morning, near Cedar Key in Levy County. As of midday, the storm was heading back out to sea, after exiting Florida near Jacksonville. More than 30 thousand people in the state remain without power according to the National Weather Service, and significant flooding remains an issue in South …
Farm Tractor Sales Stay Positive in the U.S. and Canada
Overall farm tractor unit sales continued to grow across North America in October despite a small pause in the larger unit sales in Canada. The latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says that total farm tractor sales in the U.S. rose 18 percent in October compared to 2019, while self-propelled combine sales in the U.S. grew almost 15 …
Two Florida Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available (USDA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Okaloosa and Walton 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. Department of …
Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Baldwin and Mobile counties who suffered losses caused by excessive wind, flash flooding and excessive rainfall caused by Hurricane Sally that occurred from Sept. 15 through Sept. 16, 2020, may be eligible for …
Poll Shows Americans’ Unwavering Trust in Farmers
(AFBF) — A majority of U.S. adults have a positive view of farmers’ sustainability practices, and an overwhelming majority trust farmers, according to a new national public opinion poll from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The survey of 2,200 U.S. adults found that more than half (58%) rate the sustainability practices of U.S. farmers positively, with broad agreement from a majority of …
Florida NRCS Offers Help for Severe Erosion
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is providing Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds to help agricultural producers address severe erosion and irrigation retrofit. Applications for financial assistance are being accepted through Dec. 4. Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, that this is a two-state effort. Agricultural producers are eligible to apply in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, …
Free Webinar on Livestock Risk Management is Thursday
The Extension Risk Management Education Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to remind livestock producers about they are hosting a webinar on November 12th focused on livestock risk management. The webinar is free and will provide information on livestock markets, price risk, and risk management options available through USDA. The webinar is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. Eastern and producers …
USDA Announces Updated Conservation Practice Standards
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards, which include 58 standards that have been updated or revised since August. The 2018 Farm Bill required USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to review all 169 of its national conservation practices to seek opportunities …