Agricultural producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their entire operation. NRCS plans to enroll up to 10 million acres in CSP in 2018. While applications …
Perdue Names Appointees to the Georgia USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee
U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the individuals who will serve on the Georgia USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. The state committee is responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving appeals from the agriculture community, and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs. Each state committee has five members, …
Foliar Field Enhancements for Soybeans
Dr. Jim Dunphy, Soybean Extension Specialist with North Carolina State University, spoke at last week’s NC Commodities Conference, sharing his findings on Foliar Field Enhancement research covering the last several years. He says what he DIDN’T find may have been more important than what he DID find. Findings Dunphy is looking forward to learning the importance of uniform emergence on …
Maximizing Yield While Not Adding Costs
In corn, yield is still king, but how can producers get more bang for their buck? At the recent NC Commodities Conference, North Carolina State Extension Corn Specialist Dr. Ron Heiniger shared four keys to multiplying corn yields without adding costs. Dr. Heiniger’s first point was proper placement of fertilizers and nutrients around the plant. Placement He adds there’s another …
Growth Energy Celebrates 2017 Wins, 2018 Goals
2017 was a banner year for the ethanol industry, setting the stage for future successes in 2018. Despite a barrage of threats against the industry and the Renewable Fuel Standard, Growth Energy says the industry saw strong support and pushback against those threats. Threats She says 2017 saw a united voice within the industry. Voice 2017 also saw the doubling …
Pork Checkoff Conducts Annual Producer Survey
Since 2002, the National Pork Board has conducted an annual producer survey. Pork Checkoff vice president of strategic communications Kevin Waetke says the most recent survey was conducted in November Survey The Pork Checkoff study found optimism throughout the swine industry. Optimism Waetke says the biggest challenge seen by producer was hog health and disease. The Pork Checkoff uses this …
NRCS Helping People Help the Land
For more than 80 years, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been a pioneer in conservation, working with landowners, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to maintain healthy and productive working landscapes. NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan says NRCS continues Helping People Help the Land. NRCS Helping People Help the Land Image: Courtesy of USDA/NRCS-The Soil Conservation Act …
NAFTA ‘Nervousness’ Dominates Senate Confirmation Hearing
NAFTA ‘nervousness’ dominated a Senate confirmation hearing for two Trump Deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominees, as concerns about a possible North American Free Trade Agreement pull-out continued to surface. Senate Ag Chair Pat Roberts told fellow Kansan C.J. Mahoney, tapped by the president to be a Deputy U.S. Trade Representative with a portfolio including NAFTA talks, that it’s the wrong …
Cargill Enters Plant-Based Protein Market
Cargill has signed a joint venture agreement with the largest North American producer of pea protein, stepping into the plant-based protein market. The agreement with Puris, is called a “game changer in terms of taste and vertical integration” in plant-based protein, according to Cargill officials. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports Cargill’s financial backing and market reach will drive significant expansion …
Brazil Considers Dropping Tariff on U.S. Ethanol Imports
Brazil is considering removing a 20-percent tariff on ethanol imports from the United States. An agriculture official from Brazil said Wednesday the decision could depend on the U.S. lifting a ban on fresh beef exports from Brazil, according to Reuters. Brazil imposed the ethanol tax last year on U.S. imports that exceed a 600-million-liter annual quota to protect local producers. …