The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless. The online application also provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, …
Southeast Producers Invited to Apply for USDA Conservation Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invites agricultural producers and forest landowners across the Southeast to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. In fiscal year 2024, NRCS will continue to accept applications for programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). These programs help a wide variety of producers, including urban and organic producers. …
USDA December Cotton Crop Report
All cotton production is forecast at 12.8 million 480-pound bales, down 2 percent from the previous forecast and down 12 percent from 2022. Based on conditions as of December 1, yields are expected to average 765 pounds per harvested acre, down 18 pounds from the previous forecast and down 185 pounds from 2022. All cotton area harvested is forecast at 8.02 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 10 percent from 2022. …
USDA’s NRCS Chief Expects Lots of Excitement in 2024
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s influx of funds for programs in 2023 provides a great opportunity for producers to implement or expand conservation practices on their operations. I recently visited with NRCS Chief, Terry Cosby, to learn more. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
USDA to Conduct the 2023 Census of Aquaculture
(USDA-NASS/WASHINGTON/Dec. 4, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced that starting Dec. 18 they will mail the 2023 Census of Aquaculture to all producers who indicated in their 2022 Census of Agriculture that they produce and sell aquaculture products. The deadline to respond is Jan. 15, 2024. An ag census special study, the …
USDA to Release 2022 Census of Agriculture Data in February
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release the 2022 Census of Agriculture data on February 13, 2024. NASS concluded the data collection during the summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61 percent. NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer said, “On behalf of everyone at USDA, I’d like to thank the millions of producers who gave their time and effort to …
USDA Releases Farm Sector Income Report
USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released its annual Farm Sector Income Forecast Report for 2023 which shows lower net farm income this year. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says while net farm income will drop below the record high in 2022, it’s one of the best years on record for the overall farm sector at $151.1 billion. “In fact, net cash …
USDA Works to Expand Asian Export Markets
by Will Jordan It’s no secret that U.S. Beef is the preferred protein domestically and abroad. Asia is ever expanding as a major market for U.S red meat exports. As market access expands export trade adds more value to cattle on the hoof. I visited with Alexis Taylor, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, to learn more …
USDA Makes Change to 2023 Notice of Loss Requirements for Two Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has waived certain?notice of loss requirements for 2023 for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish?(ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). This move is an effort to streamline assistance to support access to critical 2023 natural disaster recovery assistance. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiving the requirement to submit ELAP or LIP notices of loss within …
USDA Expands Drought Recovery Assistance to Livestock Producers in Additional Georgia Counties
The USDA Farm Service Agency in Georgia (FSA-GA) is now accepting applications in four additional eligible counties for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) to provide financial assistance to eligible livestock producers for 2023 grazing losses due to a qualifying drought. This expands upon a previous announcement of eligibility for twenty Georgia counties. The deadline to apply for LFP assistance is January …