USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants landowners to know the iOS and Android SoilWeb app, version 2.0 has been released. The app now has a cleaner and more modern interface with GPS-location-based links to access detailed digital soil survey data (SSURGO) published by the NRCS for most of the U.S. The newly updated SoilWeb smartphone application is available as …
Alabama Riparian Habitat Initiative Signup Ends Monday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, wants to remind producers the Riparian Habitat Initiative signup ends Monday, July 8. NRCS, in partnership with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, is accepting applications for the new initiative, which is focused on improving water quality and improving riparian area habitat through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The intent of the …
Dale County, Alabama, Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Dale County, Alabama, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses caused significant rainfall, wind and flooding as a result of Hurricane Michael, that occurred Oct. 10-11, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) …
Cobank: Poultry Well Positioned to Withstand Profit Pressure
Poultry profitability is coming under pressure as prices decline amid growing supplies. A new report from CoBank says the U.S. chicken industry has experienced an unprecedented run of historic profitability since 2012 and responded by significantly increasing production and processing capacity. Six new poultry processing plants are expected to be operating by 2020, while production and supplies of competing animal …
AFBF Trade Official on USMCA
An American Farm Bureau (AFBF) trade official says reopening the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) could cause new negotiating headaches and ratification delays, but it may be the only way to satisfy House Democrats. Farm Bureau trade advisor Dave Salmonsen says the next few weeks of talks between House Democrats and President Trump’s trade team will determine the way forward on …
A One of a Kind Collection Reaches a Major Milestone
When the sample of semen from the Duroc boar—a breed of domestic pig—arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado this spring, it went largely unnoticed. But the scientists and staff at the Agricultural Research Service’s National Animal Germplasm Collection knew they had reached a milestone. The boar semen was the one millionth sample of animal germplasm to arrive at the facility, which …
Signup Continues for National Conservation Innovation Grants
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds landowners their signup period for National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) continues. USDA is investing up to $12.5 million to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. CIG are competitive grants driving public and private sector innovation in resource conservation, with projects inspiring creative problem-solving that boosts production on farms, ranches, and private …
July 4th Cookouts Costing About the Same
(AFBF) — A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for July 4th, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and watermelon, will cost just a few cents more this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout …
Solutions Sought for Algae Woes
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Experts looking into toxic algae outbreaks that have exploded in state waterways want to know if anyone has a proven, innovative cleanup strategy that can be used. And they want to know quickly. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is formally accepting information through July 15 on ways to prevent, combat or clean up harmful algal blooms …
New Florida Laws Take Effect
Florida’s record $90.98 billion spending plan for next fiscal year and more than 100 new laws officially hits the books July 1, 2019. According to the News Service of Florida, the new laws passed by the Legislature this spring and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, deal with a variety of issues. Items of interest to agriculture in the state include: …