Last week, the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced updates to the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) policies. RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy first runs through the updates scheduled to take effect next year for the LGM program. And Flournoy describes the updates to RMA’s Dairy Revenue Protection program. RMA is updating the livestock insurance policies to improve options …
USDA Grant Program Needed for Local Meat Processors
The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging them to open applications for a grant program to help local meat processors. The legislation, authorized by Congress in December, set funding aside to improve capacity at local meat lockers, but CFRA says the agency has been slow to respond. In a letter to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, …
February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, But Outlook Remains Strong
The February red meat export numbers have been released, and according to the new data, exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in 2020. The numbers, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), indicates exports were consistent with projections and USMEF still expects 2021 beef exports …
Deadline Nearing to Enter Animal Ag Alliance Contest
If you are a farmer or rancher who would like a free registration to take part in the Animal Agriculture Alliance 2021 Virtual Stakeholders Summit, then you might be interested in entering their photo/video contest. AgNet Media’s Danielle Leal has more information. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
The Right Companion Animals to Raise with Sheep
The right companion to raise with your sheep. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are several good reasons to keep companion animals with sheep. For one, sheep are social animals. They should never be kept singly, which is why most people keep them in flocks. Sheep kept with other animals are more friendly, calmer, and easier to …
Best Dual-Purpose Breeds to Considering if Raising Sheep
One of the best dual-purpose breeds if you are considering raising sheep. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to understanding which breed is best for raising sheep, some say the Merino breed is the ideal option for small farms, while others are adamant that nothing will do but the Icelandic. If you’re thinking of raising …
Red Meat Exports Thrived in the First Year of U.S.-China Agreement
One year has passed since the red meat trade provisions of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force. The agreement expanded access for U.S. beef and pork in the world’s largest red meat import market. Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, says the Phase One agreement has been …
House Agriculture Committee Hears About Food Insecurity in America
Written Testimony for the House of Representatives Committee on AgricultureA Look at Food Insecurity in AmericaMarch 11th, 2021Presented By:Zippy DuvallPresidentAmerican Farm Bureau Federation Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Zippy Duvall. I am a third-generation farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. I am pleased to offer this testimony on behalf of Farm Bureau …
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 …