Here is a question for landowners across the Southeast….could a Wetland Easement be right for you? Those who would like to restore and protect wetlands on their property can get help from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by enrolling in a conservation easement. Are Wetland Easements Right for You Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response …
Enjoy the Great Outdoors This Summer: Maybe Even a Florida Forest
Feel an itch to see the “Real Florida?” Summer is just about here, so you can take the kids to theme parks, but the Sunshine State offers much more, if you want to venture outdoors. You might even try a forest. With the start of ecotourism season, visitors to Florida can explore everything from vineyards to farms to scenic trails. …
Five Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Florida
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Atkinson, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis and Ware counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following contiguous counties in Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Appling Charlton Pierce Bacon Echols Telfair Ben Hill Irwin Toombs Berrien Lanier Wheeler Brantley …
Georgia Blueberry Growers Suffer Second Consecutive Year of Loss
Commissioner Gary W. Black hosted a conference call to connect Georgia blueberry growers and agricultural industry representatives with USDA Under-secretary Bill Northey to discuss recent loss assessments for the 2018 blueberry crop. According to University of Georgia Extension, overall losses of both highbush and rabbiteye varieties could exceed 60 percent. This would mark the second consecutive year of significant loss …
Proposed Tariff Hearings Underway in Washington
Hearings are underway in Washington, D.C. on a proposed list of Chinese products the U.S. has targeted with 25 percent tariff. The three-day event features testimony from more than 100 witnesses. One of those testifying is farmer Michelle Erickson-Jones, a member of Farmers for Free Trade, who says the U.S. farm community is already feeling the effects of the threatened …
Soybean Growers Submit Comments on Tariff Proposal
The American Soybean Association recently submitted comments on the Section 301 tariffs to the United States Trade Representative during the 30-day open comment period. USTR recently initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into the government of China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. A slew of tit-for-tat tariffs …
Trump Exploring Exports Under RFS, Scaling Back Hardship Waivers, E15 Sales
The Trump Administration will scale back hardship waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard, according to Reuters. A source tells Reuters that the move includes counting ethanol exports towards biofuel usage quotas set under the RFS. The move seeks to ease tension between the oil and corn industries which have been at odds for months regarding the RFS, including multiple White …
OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal
The Department of Agriculture has stopped consideration of a national organic checkoff program. The Agricultural Marketing Service published the proposal this week to terminate the rulemaking for the organic checkoff. USDA says the decision is “based on uncertain industry support” for the program and “substantive issues” with the proposed program. The Organic Trade Association however says the USDA actions reflects …
Farmers Union Urges USDA to Proactively Address Farm Suicide Crisis
The National Farmers Union says many farmers and ranchers are coping with alarming levels of stress, and that farmers and ranchers commit suicide at a rate five times that of the general population. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, NFU President Roger Johnson urged the Department of Agriculture to “develop a response to the farm suicide crisis.” Johnson …
Equipment Sales Sluggish, but Positive
The latest monthly tractor and combine sales report from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers shows increased combine sales. U.S. retail sales of combines jumped almost 59 percent last month, compared to April of 2017. However, total tractor sales in the U.S. rose less than one percent, versus this time last year. AEM Senior Vice President of Ag Services Curt Blades …