WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses in the path of Hurricane Sally that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices stand ready and are eager to help. In a continuing effort to serve …
USDA Seeking Input for Agriculture Innovation Agenda
To further the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) work on the Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA), USDA has announced it is seeking public and private-sector input on the most innovative technologies and practices that can be readily deployed across U.S. agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting Chief, Kevin Norton, says USDA is taking public comments on ready-to-go technologies and practices. …
USDA Lowers Corn and Soybean Forecast
The latest round of crop forecasts shows lower numbers for both U.S. corn and soybeans. Gary Crawford has the new figures. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), key findings for the Southern Region from the September Crop Production include: Alabama: Corn for grain production is forecast at 57.9 million bushels, up 29% from 2019. Cotton acreage is revised …
USDA Modernizes Egg Product Inspection Rules
For the first time in 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is making changes to egg product inspection methods. FSIS is aligning the Egg Products Inspection Regulations final rule to be consistent with current requirements in the meat and poultry products inspection regulations. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, USDA is …
USDA Seeks Nominations for the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
GAINESVILLE, Fla. Sept. 8, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the invitation for nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a two-year term on USDA’s Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research. The Task Force advises the Secretary on air quality and its relationship to agriculture based on sound scientific findings and review of …
USDA Supports U.S. Seafood Industry Impacted by Retaliatory Tariffs
(Washington, D.C., September 9, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide approximately $530 million to support the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), …
USDA Designates Two Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Mobile and Washington counties who suffered losses due to excessive rainfall and flash flooding from Tropical Storm Cristobal that occurred June 7 through June 10, 2020, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency …
USDA Reminds Farmers of Sept. 30 Deadline to Update Safety-Net Program Crop Yields
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farm owners that they have a one-time opportunity to update Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program yields for covered commodities on the farm. The deadline is September 30, 2020, to update yields, which are used to calculate the PLC payments for 2020 through 2023. Additionally, producers who elected Agriculture Risk …
USDA Updates Conservation Provisions for Highly Erodible Land and Wetlands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published its final rule on determining whether land is considered highly erodible or a wetland. This final rule follows a focused effort by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve consistency and use of science in making determinations. This follows an interim final rule that was published Dec. 7, 2018, after which …
USDA Forecasting More Net Cash Farm Income for 2020
A new forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes farm income across the country this year will be higher than it was in 2019. USDA Chief Economist Rob Johansson has the new numbers. Johansson says USDA lowered its estimate of 2019 farm income. USDA notes direct government farm payments, including federal aid, are forecast at $37.2 billion, a …