The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners the Fiscal Year 2024 Farm Bill Easement and Financial Assistance Programs signup batching date is Friday, November 3rd, 2023. This signup includes these programs: ACEP–WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect …
USDA Conducting Sheep Study in 2024
USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) conducts a national sheep study approximately every ten years, and will do so again next year. The Sheep 2024 Study will support industry groups and research efforts with new information on sheep health and management. The study consists of two phases and includes biological sampling and two questionnaires. A random selection of almost …
USDA FSA Hurricane Idalia Loan Informational Session
Would you like to meet with USDA Farm Service Agency staff regarding loan assistance for Hurricane Idalia Recovery? The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), in cooperation with UF/IFAS Extension will host an informational and Q&A session, please see details below. FSA offers a variety of financial assistance programs, this session will focus on FSA loan options. There will be bilingual …
Signup Deadline Nearing for USDA Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds those interested the availability of $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands. It’s through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, but the deadline for applications is October 30, 2023. NRCS is being directed to prioritize CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane …
USDA Trims America’s Feed Grain Supplies
USDA is forecasting October U.S. feed grain production at 396.6 million tons for the 2023-2024 marketing year, down 1.8 million tons on reduced corn and sorghum output. With lower beginning stocks partly offset by a slight bump in imports, the total feed grain supply is projected 4.1 million tons lower this month at 436 million. Reflecting a slight yield decrease …
USDA Extends Deadline for Emergency Conservation Program Applications from Florida Producers in 28 Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for applications from agricultural producers for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Ian. The application deadline has been extended to November 27,2023. ECP provides financial assistance to producers to help them restore their farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost …
USDA Organic Transition Program Celebrates First Year
The USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) recently marked its first anniversary. It’s an investment of up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations that are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. USDA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt says the program offers several benefits for growers. …
USDA Extends Milk Loss Program Deadline
U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) did extend the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program (MLP) to this coming Monday, October 30th. This is to allow more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed weather-related disaster recovery assistance. Administered by the Farm Service Agency, MLP compensates dairy producers who, because of qualifying weather events, dumped or removed milk …
USDA Cotton Report Shows All Cotton Down from 2022
All cotton production is forecast at 12.8 million 480-pound bales, down 2 percent from the previous forecast and down 11 percent from 2022. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 767 pounds per harvested acre, down 19 pounds from the previous forecast and down 183 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. By October 1, eighteen percent …
USDA Restricts Poultry Imports from France, EU
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently placed restrictions on the importation of poultry from France and the European Union. The restrictions, enacted by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, include live ducks, duck eggs, and unmitigated or untreated duck products from the APHIS-recognized European Poultry Trade Region, as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, but excluding Great …