USDA is once again celebrating No-Till November. This fall, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging America’s agricultural producers to keep the stubble and give their farm a more rugged, natural look. While many farmers till during the fall, NRCS notes the reasons not to do so. They note that No-till improves soil health by not disturbing soil microbiology, …
13 Georgia 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 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Barrow, Clarke, Dade, Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, Walker, Walton, and Warren, who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency …
Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in DeKalb and Marshall counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend …
Commissioner Black on U.S. Poultry Regaining Access to China
Following the announcement of American poultry farmers regaining access to the Chinese market, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black issued the following statement: “As the top poultry producing state in the country, Georgia applauds the end of the needless and unscientific ban on U.S. poultry imports,” said Black. “The reopening of the Chinese market will undoubtedly result in expanded opportunities …
Brazil’s Implementation of Tariff Rate Quota for Wheat a Win for American Farmers
(USDA) — U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue welcome Brazil’s implementation of an annual duty-free tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 750,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat imports. For many years, Brazil failed to implement its obligation under the WTO to establish a TRQ for wheat. Brazil’s implementation of this TRQ fulfills a commitment made …
Poultry Groups Applaud Agreement to Resume Imports of U.S. Poultry Products to China
(NCC) — The National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) today applauded the announcement that China will lift its ban on imports of U.S. poultry products. The ban was enacted in 2015 after the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. While the U.S. has been free of HPAI since …
USDA Invites Input on CSP Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it is seeking public comments on its interim final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The program is designed to help farmers have more robust conservation activities. The rule, which is now on the Federal Register, takes effect upon publication and includes changes to the program prescribed by …
American Poultry Farmers Regain Access to China
U.S. poultry exports expected to top $1 billion annually (USDA) – United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released the following statement on China’s decision to lift its ban on poultry imports from the United States: “The United States welcomes China’s decision to finally lift its unwarranted ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products. This is …
Farmers Turning to Riskier Loans to Stay in Business
(NAFB) — Weather challenges, trade tensions, and long-term financial struggles continue to make life difficult in the U.S. agricultural sector. The Wall Street Journal says those headwinds are forcing an increasing number of farmers and ranchers to take on high-interest loans from lenders outside of the ag sector, just to stay in business. The more traditional farm banks are offering …
Ag Lender Survey Shows Lower Profitability and Higher Concerns
(NAFB) — The American Bankers Association teamed up with Farmer Mac for their Fall 2019 Ag Lender Survey. The biggest takeaway from the report is that the agricultural economy and farm income remain under stress, with little if any signs of improvement ahead in 2020. Over 82 percent of lenders in the survey said farm profits were being squeezed this …