Forage Producers Invited to Enter World Forage Analysis Superbowl

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Livestock, Pasture, Specialty Crops

Forage producers across North America are invited to enter the World Forage Analysis Superbowl. The 2022 contest is set to award over $26,000 in cash prizes. The deadline to submit corn silage samples is July 8, while all other entries must be submitted by August 25. The $35 entry fee provides entry into the contest along with a detailed sample …

Black Farmers Vie for Marijuana License

Dan Specialty Crops

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/June 24, 2022) — A 99-year-old matriarch who began her agricultural career in cotton fields in Northwest Florida. A rancher who served in Vietnam and grew up in an Alachua County community terrorized in the past by lynchings. A family that got its start picking apples on a New York farm. They’re among people vying for a potentially lucrative medical-marijuana …

Secretary Vilsack on Ukraine

Dan Exports/Imports, Specialty Crops, USDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke with farm broadcasters recently, and on the topic of the war in Ukraine and its effects on agriculture, he discussed production losses. “My concern is that we calibrate the importance of production and profit. When I say that, I mean clearly the world is going to need more production in terms of being able to …

Celebrate Avocados in June

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

A ten-year milestone for a certain fruit.  That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Ten years ago, the California Avocado Commission first observed June as the official California Avocado Month and they continue the tradition this year. Avocados are grown by about 3000 California growers primarily with Groves from San Diego to Monterey. The California Avocado Commission was created in 1978 …

Quinoa Bacteria Research

Dan Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Expanding the possibilities of quinoa. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Quinoa is increasingly popular as a high-protein, slightly nutty flavored grain-like seed that can be made into flour for bread and pasta, used in soups and cereal, eaten as a snack food, and fermented into alcoholic beverages like beer. Colorado and Nevada currently lead U.S production of quinoa, but …

Approximately $6 Billion Provided to Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by Natural Disasters

Dan Economy, Specialty Crops, USDA-FSA

First Wave of Payments Based on Crop Insurance Data (WASHINGTON, May 16, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments totaling approximately $6 billion through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to offset crop yield and …