Bipartisan Budget Act Makes Substantial Program Changes U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm …
DTN Poll Shows Farmers Becoming More Positive
Farmers are becoming more positive regarding their current situations, and the future. The DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index finds farmers are increasingly indicating a positive outlook. The index reached its third highest level ever recorded in its latest survey, reaching 134.8, up almost 22 points from the December/January level and slightly above the overall level of spring 2017. The …
USDA Expands Focus on Program Integrity Across All Nutrition Programs
As part of Agriculture Secretary Perdue’s strategic goal of ensuring that our programs are delivered efficiently, effectively and with integrity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced an enhanced focus on program integrity, that will include renewed attention on transparency, payment accuracy, fraud and waste prevention, and improved quality control. “Where protection of taxpayer dollars …
Secretary Perdue Issues USDA Statement on Plant Breeding Innovation
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a statement providing clarification on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) oversight of plants produced through innovative new breeding techniques which include techniques called genome editing. Under its biotechnology regulations, USDA does not regulate or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques as long …
USDA Wants Input on Statistics Gathering Programs
The Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback on the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Through the 2018 USDA Data Users’ meeting, USDA will seek comments and input on recent and pending changes in various data and information programs. NASS and partner agencies organize the annual meeting for USDA stakeholders. Other participating USDA agencies include the Agricultural Marketing Service, Economic Research Service, …
USDA/NIFA Announces Support to Relieve Veterinarian Shortage Situations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of funding to help assure rural communities have sufficient access to livestock veterinary services. Funding is made through NIFA’s Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP). The VSGP is designed to support education and extension activities and practice enhancement initiatives that will enable veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, …
Seven Counties in Alabama Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Assistance to Producers in Mississippi The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Bibb, Jefferson, Pickens, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Blount Etowah Marion Calhoun Fayette Perry Chilton …
Partisan Farm Bill a No-Go in the Senate
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the Senate Ag Committee is on track to release a bipartisan farm bill after the Easter recess. Politico says Grassley is warning lawmakers that a Republican-only bill coming out of the House would have no chance of getting through the upper chamber. Bipartisan farm bill talks are stalled in the House amid complaints from Democrats …
Rural Mainstreet Index Remains Positive
Dodd-Frank Limits Lending for Most Rural Banks March Survey Results at a Glance: * For a second straight month the overall index rose above growth neutral. * Approximately 16.8 percent of grain farmers are expected to suffer negative cash flow for 2018. This is down slightly from 12 months earlier. * The percent of farmland purchases for cash (not financed) declined …
Rural Prosperity Still as Important as Ever
Across America, more sincere attention is being focused on rural development and prosperity than at any other time I, or anyone I know, can remember. The Trump Administration is taking steps with infrastructure and USDA programming to nurture future greatness across the entirety of the fruited plain. I salute the President’s efforts. However, initiatives like this require extensive research and …