wrep

USDA-NRCS Accepting WREP Proposals until August 16

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be investing up to $50 million in fiscal year 2024 through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). This effort is designed to support conservation partners with local projects that help protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands and help mitigate climate change.  NRCS is accepting proposals until August 16, 2024 that focus on producers …

hog

Pork Industry Impact on U.S. Economy

Dan Economy, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork

Despite some challenges this year, the U.S. pork industry remains an important contributor to the nation’s economy.  National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), released its latest Economic Impact Report featuring new data on the U.S. pork industry’s contributions to the national economy. “It’s an interesting report because we look not just at the farm level, but we estimate the impact that arises …

NCC President: Extending Current Farm Bill Doesn’t Work for Industry

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson Farm bill discussions continue and so does the agriculture community’s insistence that a new bill be finalized this year. That was the mindset shared by Gary Adams, president and chief executive officer of the National Cotton Council (NCC). He spoke at the Georgia Cotton Commission’s mid-year meeting last week in Statesboro and emphasized that a farm bill …

Sheep Industry Sees Value in Producer Education

Will Jordan Industry, Livestock, Livestock News, Sheep-Goats

The American Sheep Industry Association’s Young and Emerging Entrepreneurs group has received a grant in the amount of $89,580 from the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center to develop a beginning producer education program. The program will incorporate online education, producer workshops and an online forum, according to Cody Chambliss and Kelly Froehlich, Ph.D., of the Young and Emerging Entrepreneurs Steering …

farm bill

Consequences of No New Farm Bill

Dan Agri-Business, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative

The farm bill is already a year late, the stakes are high, and time is running out. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its Market Intel Analysis of the consequences of not finishing the legislation and adding another extension of the 2018 bill. While crop insurance is a permanent program, it does need improvements to make it more affordable …

adai

ADAI Confirms Two Positive Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Horses in Alabama

Dan Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Equine, Livestock

(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) confirms two positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) detected in horses in Covington and Mobile counties. EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is more severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality rate in horses from WNV is reported at around 30 percent, while the rate for EEE is …

wetland mitigation banks

Wetland Mitigation Banks Proposals are Due By August 2

Dan USDA-NRCS

August 2nd is approaching, and that is the deadline for proposals to create a wetland mitigation bank. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing $7 million to support the development of wetland mitigation banks for agricultural producers through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP).  Through wetland mitigation banks, wetlands are restored, created or enhanced, generating credits that can be purchased by producers …

Florida landowners

Funding Available to Help Florida Landowners Improve Forest Health

Dan Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), has announced $2 million is now available to Florida landowners through the Florida’s Future Forests Program. The program, in its fourth year, offers landowners cost-share opportunities to help enhance the capacity of Florida’s forests, which provide clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and thousands of essential products.  …

GCC Mid-Year Meeting Attracts Attendees from Across Georgia

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson There is no shortage of issues impacting Georgia cotton production. Whether it is the unpredictable weather that affected planting this spring, insect pests like stink bugs and whiteflies, or the looming farm bill; all have challenged the state’s growers in their quest to be more efficient and sustainable. All were highlighted during the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) …

grazing

Forest and Grazing Questionnaires are Due July 28

Dan Cattle, Forestry, Livestock, Pasture, USDA-NASS, USDA-NRCS

For forest and grazing landowners across the Southeast that received a questionnaire concerning conservation practices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind you the completed questionnaires need to be returned by July 28th.  The Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey (CPAMS) is a combined effort by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). They are looking to gather information to better understand …