natural

USDA Announces Deadline to Submit Wildfire, Hurricane Disaster Assistance Applications

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Economy, Equine, Field Crops, Forestry, Fruits, Hemp, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pasture, Peanuts, Pecans, Pollinators, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA, Vegetables, Wheat

Final Opportunity for 2018 and 2019 Disaster Recovery Assistance (USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, as the deadline to submit applications for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus (WHIP+) for 2018 and 2019 losses. USDA did not originally specify a deadline when the program was announced. “The physical and financial loss experienced …

Dairy Margin Coverage Program Enrollment for 2021 Opens Next Week

Dan Cattle, Dairy, Economy, Industry News Release, USDA

Enhancements to Online Dairy Decision Tool Now Available (USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 for 2021 enrollment.  “This year has been a market roller coaster for the dairy industry, and the Dairy Margin Coverage program is a valuable tool dairy producers can use to manage risk,” said …

Trump Administration Invests Up To $100 Million to Increase American Biofuel Sales

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Economy, Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA/RD) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected …

Support from USDA Grants for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture  (USDA) announced  $19.1 million in grants to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (2501) Program is managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).  “These grants provide …

USDA Preparing New Round of Crop Production, Demand Forecasts

Clint Thompson USDA

Hurricane Sally had a real effect on certain crops in parts of South Alabama and Northwest Florida. According to a story from Gary Crawford, by the end of this week we will have a much better idea of the production and marketing prospects for the crops now being harvested. USDA’s Crop Production Report and Supply/Demand Report will be released this …

USDA Seeks New Partnerships to Safeguard, Restore Wetland Ecosystems

Clint Thompson USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced up to $30 million is available in technical and financial assistance through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) to help conservation partners protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands. “This partnership enhances the locally driven process to better address critical wetland functions that progress beyond localities,” said Kevin Norton, acting Chief …

USDA Releases Quarterly Grain Stocks Report

Clint Thompson Alabama, Corn, Florida, Georgia, Soybeans, USDA, USDA-NASS

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its Quarterly Grain Stocks report, which indicates old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2020, totaled 2.0 billion bushels, down 10% from 2019. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 42%, and all wheat stocks were down 8% from a year earlier. Total corn stocks stored on …

New Feature Allows Entities to Conduct Online Business with USDA

Clint Thompson USDA, USDA-NRCS

An update to farmers.gov now provides access to farmers and ranchers who are members of an entity, as well as individuals and entities with powers of attorney to conduct online business with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Additionally, online services once available through NRCS’s Conservation Client Gateway (CCG) will be moved to farmers.gov in the coming weeks. “Here at …

USDA Awards $5 Million to Support Wetland Mitigation Banking

Clint Thompson USDA

WASHINGTON, September 28, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will award $5 million for eight new wetland mitigation banking projects through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program. This program helps conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. “These wetlands will provide agriculture producers an affordable mitigation option …

Deadline Nearing to Update PLC Program Yields

Clint Thompson USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind farm owners the deadline to update yields that are on file for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program is Sept. 30. This deadline is to update yields that are used to calculate the PLC payments for 2020 through 2023. Plus, producers who elected Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) should also consider updating …