Interest in purchasing agricultural land has grown since a coronavirus pandemic-induced slowdown blanketed the land market last spring. Farmers are feeling more financially secure as strong commodity prices arrived on top of large government payments in 2020. This is propelling farmers to bid more aggressively for additional land than has been the case during the past six years, according to …
Best Type of Hay to Buy Depends on the Animals Being Fed
The best type of hay to buy depending on the animals your feeding. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Animals can tolerate different types of hay. For example, Cattle vary a bit in what kind of hay they tolerate depending on their age. Lactating cows require high-protein hay. Younger calves might have a tough time with coarser hays, like …
Tips for Providing/Buying Quality Feed for Livestock
Some tips for providing/buying quality feed for your livestock. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Buying hay can be challenging. Especially if you’re buying from a seller online, sight unseen. Here are some tips to help you what to look for. When it comes to color, the best quality hay will be a silver-green, while a deeper green will show that …
Deadline Extended: Tell Your Land Stewardship Story
“Stewardship – Catch the Wave” is the theme of the Eighth National Grazing Lands Conference (8NGLC) and you are invited to participate in the conference hosted by the National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) and other sponsoring organizations. The conference provides an open discussion and exchange of information, technology transfer, identification of research and program needs, marketing of products, services, and other …
Agriculture Included in New COVID-19 Relief Package
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, known as “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” is now official as President Biden signed the bill late last week. We’ve all heard how the package will include $1,400 stimulus checks for qualifying individuals, extends unemployment benefits, and more. But it also increases assistance through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And according …
USDA Delays Signup for CRP Grasslands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are postponing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup. While the original date to start this signup was mid-March, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will announce new signup dates in the coming weeks. The Biden Administration is currently evaluating the program and looking at ways to increase enrollment. CRP Grasslands was …
Native Legume for Improving Pastures in the Southern U.S.
Legumes are plants within the bean family capable of fixing nitrogen. Legumes can enhance conservation tillage systems, improve soil quality, reduce nitrogen requirements on row crops and pasture lands, enhance wildlife habitat, enhance pasture and hay land quality, and reduce soil erosion in cropland and critical areas. Warm and cool-season legume species produce high-quality forage and seed throughout the year …
USDA Announces Deadline to Submit Wildfire, Hurricane Disaster Assistance Applications
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 …
Changes Made to SE Hay Contest
It was announced last month that the 2020 Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia will not be held this year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Every year during that event, winners of the Southeast Hay Contest are announced. Organizers of that event had to make a few changes. According to Marcelo Wallau, Forage Extension Specialist with the University of Florida, …
Groups Request Hearing on Livestock Reporting Rule
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, the National Farmers Union, along with 11 other groups sent a letter to the Senate Ag Committee requesting a hearing on livestock mandatory price reporting reauthorization. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting Rule, first established in 1999, mandates price reporting for cattle, boxed beef, swine, and lamb. It’s reauthorized every five years, with the current program expiring on …