Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small Continues College Tour with Visit to University of Florida

Dan Agri-Business, Education, Florida, USDA, USDA-NIFA

Visit underscores Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to Land-Grant Institutions, Includes Specialty Crop Roundtable The visit is part of Deputy Secretary Torres Small’s College Tour, which began earlier this month, and continues over several weeks.  (GAINESVILLE, FL, Jan. 26, 2024) – U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited the University of Florida (UF) on Friday, January 26, to highlight the U.S. Department …

GPC Set to Host Research Report Day

Clint Thompson Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC)

The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) reminds its growers that the annual Research Report Day is scheduled for Feb. 7, starting at 9 a.m. at the Nationally Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus at 2360 Rainwater Road in Tifton, Georgia. As always, the event provides farmers and industry representatives a chance to hear …

Not Too Late: GCC Encourages Registration for Upcoming Event

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) is a less than a week away. Registration is ongoing for the annual event, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center. GCC Executive Director Taylor Sills discussed the value of his growers attending the meeting, which will include presentations from the UGA Extension Cotton …

Large Family Farms Account for Bulk of Commodity Production

Dan Commodities, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

A look at what kinds of farms make up the majority of production. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Large-scale family farms accounted for a majority of the value of commodity production in 2022, according to a new report from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Specifically, these farms accounted for 51 percent of cash grains and soybeans, 56 …

Peanut Farm Show Offers Management Strategies for Growers to Remain Sustainable

Clint Thompson Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission hosted its annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Thursday. Attendees flocked to the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference in Tifton, Georgia. Production issues like weed and disease management were highlighted during the UGA Peanut Production Seminar; followed by updates from breeders concerning potential varieties in the future. Rodney Dawson, chairman …

Pork Producers Concerned About FDA Antibiotics Proposal

Dan National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) submitted comments critical of the Food and Drug Administration’s draft guidance on the duration of use of certain antibiotics in food animals. NPPC says the proposal would “deny the ability for a veterinarian to prescribe antimicrobials appropriately, burden pharmaceutical companies, and may jeopardize antibiotic access.” Opting for a mobile clean room can significantly streamline …

Georgia Producers Encouraged to Apply for USDA Conservation Programs

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is encouraging agricultural producers and forest landowners in the state to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. NRCS continues to accept applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which help a wide variety of producers, including urban and organic producers. For …

NCBA Keeps Close Eye on Proposed USDA Rulemaking

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Marketing, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane says he’s keeping an eye on proposed USDA rulemaking for the beef industry. “We’re watching with some concern some of what we’re seeing coming out of USDA. Obviously, they continue to be very focused on what they’re calling their competition agenda,” he said. Lane said NCBA believes that competition …

Florida NRCS Releases 2023 Report of Conservation Accomplishments

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) recently released its annual report of accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2023, which highlights the impacts of federal and partner investments toward protecting and improving natural resources in Florida.  According to the new report NRCS in Florida, from September 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, obligated $44.6 million in financial assistance for Farm Bill …

Alabama Now Accepting FY2024 RCPP Applications

Dan Alabama, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) has announced it is accepting applications for its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) through February 16th, 2024. In Alabama, The Nature Conservancy plans to reduce sedimentation, pollution, nutrient runoff, and other stresses within several waterbodies in the Paint Rock, Big Canoe Creek, and Locust Fork watersheds. Implementing streambank restoration practices along these targeted waterbodies will improve water quality for …