USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its Quarterly Grain Stocks report, which indicates old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2020, totaled 2.0 billion bushels, down 10% from 2019. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 42%, and all wheat stocks were down 8% from a year earlier. Total corn stocks stored on …
USDA Funds Conservation Innovation in Florida and Nationally Through On-Farm Trials of Conservation Systems
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding $25 million in grants designed to help partners implement and evaluate innovative conservation practices that have demonstrated benefits on farmland. The funding is provided through On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials), a component of the Conservation Innovation Grants program first authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. “On-Farm …
New Feature Allows Entities to Conduct Online Business with USDA
An update to farmers.gov now provides access to farmers and ranchers who are members of an entity, as well as individuals and entities with powers of attorney to conduct online business with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Additionally, online services once available through NRCS’s Conservation Client Gateway (CCG) will be moved to farmers.gov in the coming weeks. “Here at …
USDA Awards $5 Million to Support Wetland Mitigation Banking
WASHINGTON, September 28, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will award $5 million for eight new wetland mitigation banking projects through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program. This program helps conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. “These wetlands will provide agriculture producers an affordable mitigation option …
USDA Announces Second Round of Funding for Feral Swine Program
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced this week it is accepting applications from non-federal, not-for-profit partners for projects to help agricultural producers and private landowners trap and control feral swine. This is all part of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP), where NRCS is making $12 million available. Applications for this second round of funding will …
USDA Reopens Comment Period for Hemp Production Program Interim Final Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced earlier this month it has re-opened the comment period to the interim final rule published in October 2019 that established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. AgNet Media’s Brian German has the story. Written comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be sent via email to …
USDA Seeks Comments on Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Insurance Program
The Department of Agriculture seeks public comments on recommended improvements to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program by Nov. 5, 2020. USDA’s Risk Management Agency contracted for an independent evaluation of the program to determine its effectiveness as a risk management tool for livestock producers. RMA Administrator Martin Barbre says, “We want to be sure that the …
Commissioner Fried to Florida Farmers: Apply for Second Round of USDA Support Immediately
Tallahassee, Fla. — Following this morning’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on additional funding to support agricultural producers facing market disruptions and costs due to COVID-19, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging all eligible Florida farmers to apply as soon as applications open on Monday, September 21 with the enrollment period running through December 11, 2020. Up to an additional $14 billion has been designated for additional support through the Coronavirus Food Assistance …
USDA to Provide Additional Direct Assistance to Farmers, Ranchers Impacted by the Coronavirus
(Washington, D.C., September 18, 2020) – President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today up to an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin Sept. 21 and run through December 11, 2020. “America’s …
USDA Announces Contracts for Round 3 of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Washington, D.C., September 17, 2020 – Following President Donald Trump’s approval to include up to an additional $1 billion in the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved up to $1 billion in contracts to support American producers and communities in need through the USDA Farmers to …