The Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency Monday announced several enhancements to the Dairy Revenue Protection, Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection Programs. Risk Management Agency Administrator Martin Barbre says the changes “strengthen risk management options and provide peace of mind in times of unpredictable market fluctuations.” The Livestock Gross Margin program protects against loss of gross margin or …
Cover Crops That Take the Heat
USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Centers (PMCs) in the Southeast are gathering data on different types of cover crops that landowners can use during the summer months. Many of us may think of cover crops as being planted after a cash crop is harvested in the fall. But there are some cash crops harvested in the spring, …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Releases Hurricane Michael Video: “America’s Forgotten Disaster”
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried released a new mini-documentary video entitled “America’s Forgotten Disaster,” highlighting the destruction and consequences of Hurricane Michael, with a focus on forestry and timber. The video documents Commissioner Fried’s tours of Panhandle communities devastated by Hurricane Michael, features visually powerful reminders of the damage to forests and timber farms and the looming threat of wildfire, and includes …
Farm Groups Ask President, Congress for Disaster Relief
A group of 135 farm organizations and banks that supply seasonal loans to farms and ranches today called on President Trump and Congress to put aside political differences and supply urgently needed relief in the wake of weather-related disasters in 2018 and 2019. The organizations highlighted the year’s unprecedented destruction in the letter. Farmers and ranchers are especially anxious for …
Meet Chuck, the Virtual Beef Assistant
The beef industry is going high-tech when it comes to promoting its products. The “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” brand is launching what it calls a “beef virtual assistant.” Chuck Knows Beef is powered by Google artificial intelligence and brings together a rancher’s knowledge, a chef’s expertise, and the humor of the average dad into kitchens across the country. The …
CSP Signup Period Continues
Landowners are being reminded the signup for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for 2019 funding runs until May 10. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now enrolling eligible, high ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres. NRCS Deputy Chief Jimmy Bramblett says this program originally was known as the Conservation Security Program. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In …
ADAI Licenses Growers, Processors, and Universities into the Alabama Industrial Hemp Pilot Program
Commissioner Rick Pate announced the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has licensed 152 growers, 59 processors, and 5 universities to grow, cultivate, process, and research industrial hemp in 2019. Each list is available at http://www.agi.alabama.gov/s/industrial-hemp—home—w-o. “We have had a significant interest in the Alabama Industrial Hemp Pilot Program from potential growers and processors since the availability of applications was …
USDA Sign Up in Georgia Ends Friday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia wants farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who suffered damage to working lands due to Hurricane Michael, the sign up to seek assistance for USDA program funding ends Friday, April 19. Through NRCS, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers address natural resource concerns that can result on their own or after a …
Alabama EQIP Signup Deadline is Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Alabama, Ben Malone, wants to remind landowners in the state that the signup batching deadline for Fiscal Year 2019 for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and initiatives offered through the program is April 25. With EQIP programs, eligible producers may receive a payment based on the statewide average cost of the installation …
Florida Conservation Easement Signup Ends Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners that applications to fund agricultural easements in Florida are being accepted until April 25. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs, the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Through ALE, NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners for …