The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a sign-up for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2024. The ACEP is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph said, “ACEP is a great way for landowners and eligible entities to conserve, …
USDA-NRCS Closing Some Florida Offices in Advance of Hurricane Idalia
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced that due to Hurricane Idalia, their offices and some USDA service centers in North Central areas have temporarily closed through at least Wednesday, August 30, 2023. USDA NRCS officials hope to resume normal operations on Thursday, August 31st, unless extenuating circumstances prevents them from doing so. The temporary office closures include: State …
USDA Network Protects Livestock
How the agriculture department works to keep animals healthy. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA has a multi-layered approach to protecting our livestock industry from high-consequence foreign animal diseases. Dr. Julie Wallin with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), says that’s the key role the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). “That’s a network of …
USDA Publishes Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule
Ensuring the integrity of child nutrition programs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Wednesday published a final rule on program integrity to ensure that child nutrition programs are properly operated and managed to protect federal funds and taxpayer dollars. The final rule impacts the National School Lunch …
USDA Accepts EQIP Applications on a Continuous Basis
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). By providing financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers, EQIP addresses natural resource concerns and delivers environmental benefits. Those benefits include improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby, notes EQIP and …
Updated USDA Milk and Meat Production Forecasts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the August numbers for milk and meat production along with new price forecasts. Rod Bain runs through the latest numbers. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discusses some of the adjustments to livestock price projections made by USDA this month. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 31, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly …
USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act
A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act (HPA) requirements. Announced last week, the proposed changes aim to eliminate horse soring, a practice that gives horse owners and trainers an unfair advantage in …
USDA FMMO Hearing is August 23
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) will be holding a hearing on August 23rd concerning the modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system. It reflects the comprehensive approach to improvement carefully crafted by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “Dairy farmers nationwide are grateful that USDA is moving forward by including the full scope of NMPF’s proposal to guide the dairy industry forward as …
USDA Cotton Crop Report
USDA released the latest crop reports today. Becky Sommer, Cotton and Sorghum Statistician with USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has the details. All cotton production (.pdf) is forecast at 14.0 million 480?pound bales, down 3 percent from 2022. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 779 pounds per harvested acre, down 171 pounds from the previous year. All cotton area …
USDA Research Identifies Moths that Slow the Spread of Invasive Fern
Using a moth to slow the spread of an invasive plant. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The invasive Old World Climbing Fern was introduced to Florida’s ecosystem from southeast Asia around 1965. It soon dominated the state’s native vegetation, infesting more than 100,000 acres in a short amount of time. The fern spreads quickly and has destroyed …