Cotton Board Appointments Announced by USDA

Dan Cotton, Industry News Release

(CB) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 13 members, 13 alternate members, and one advisor to serve on The Cotton Board.  These appointees will serve three-year terms, ending December 31, 2023. Newly appointed members are: Ben B. Guthrie, Producer – LA; and Thomas Hayes III, Producer – MS. Newly appointed alternate members are: Matthew Cauzza, …

Stabenow Leads Opposition against USDA Decision on Dairy Aid

Dan Dairy, Economy, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — Senate Ag Committee Member Debbie Stabenow is leading a group of 15 senators asking Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to reverse a decision that excluded dairy farmers from getting coronavirus aid for losses from meat produced from breeding animals. The Hagstrom Report says the senators point out that losses from meat produced from breeding animals were included in the …

USDA Offers Secure New Options for Signing, Sharing Documents Online

Dan General, USDA-NRCS

Farmers and ranchers working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or Farm Service Agency (FSA) can now sign and share documents online in just a few clicks. By using Box or OneSpan, producers can digitally complete business transactions without leaving their homes or agricultural operations. Both services are free, secure, and available for multiple NRCS and FSA programs. Box is a secure, cloud-based site …

USDA Issues Payments to Producers Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing $1.68 billion in payments to agricultural producers and landowners for the 21.9 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides annual rental payment for land devoted to conservation purposes. “CRP is one of the many ‘tools’ that USDA offers to producers and private landowners to help best …

USDA to Host Educational Webinar Series on CME Specifications, Live Cattle and Beef Carcass Grading and Certification

Dan Beef, Cattle, Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA/AMS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host a series of four webinars with guest speakers from three regional USDA Cattle and Carcass Training Centers (CCTCs), the CME Group, and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). These free webinars begin Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, and are targeted to cattle producers, feeders, and others in the U.S. fed beef supply …

USDA Issues $1.68 Billion in Payments to Producers Enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program

Clint Thompson USDA

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing $1.68 billion in payments to agricultural producers and landowners for the 21.9 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides annual rental payment for land devoted to conservation purposes. “CRP is one of the many ‘tools’ that USDA offers to producers and private landowners to help …

NCBA Commends USDA for Increased Research on Brucellosis

Clint Thompson Cattle

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Kathy Simmons, issued a statement this week in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announcing draft policy to allow animal health researchers to conduct brucellosis studies on cattle and other large animals that cannot be easily housed indoors. “This announcement is welcome news …

USDA Updates RCPP Announcement to Clarify Forestry Eligibility

Clint Thompson Forestry, USDA-NRCS

Proposal deadline for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program extended to November 30 WASHINGTON, October 14, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today re-posted a revised Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding announcement, inviting potential conservation partners to submit project proposals for federal funding. NRCS will award up to $360 million to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the …

ADAI Accepting Applications for USDA Organic Cost-Share Reimbursement Program

Clint Thompson Alabama, Organic

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama growers and handlers of organic agricultural products can recover part of the cost associated with their USDA certification. The reimbursement covers 50% of certification costs, up to a maximum of $500. The cost-share program makes it easier for certified organic businesses throughout the supply chain by recouping the costs associated with USDA organic certification. The Alabama …