USDA Launches Strategy to Continue Conserving the Gopher Tortoise and its Critical Habitat

Clint Thompson USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released its new 5-year plan to conserve the Southeast’s threatened gopher tortoise by focusing on the conservation and restoration of its key habitat, the longleaf pine forests. Acting NRCS Chief Kevin Norton told Southeast AgNet the fate of the gopher tortoise is linked to habitat quality, and efforts …

USDA Forecasting Increased Exports

Clint Thompson Exports/Imports

A new forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that despite the growing imports of foreign agricultural products, U.S. farmers still are racking up a trade surplus with the rest of the world, and that is expected to increase even more in 2021. The Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade report notes the increase is primarily driven by higher …

USDA/EPA Announce Next Generation Fertilizer Challenges

Clint Thompson Environment, USDA

On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a joint EPA-USDA partnership and competition to advance agricultural sustainability in the United States. The competition includes two challenges that seek proposals for new and existing fertilizer technologies to maintain or improve crop yields while reducing the impacts of …

Northey Encourages Producers to Take USDA Survey

Clint Thompson USDA, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a new annual survey of farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners. The survey will help USDA understand what it is doing well and where improvements are needed, specifically at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA). Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill …

USDA Report Shows U.S. Milk Output Continuing to Climb

Clint Thompson Dairy

A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows the nation’s dairies continue to boost milk production. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

USDA Designates Toombs County, Georgia as a Primary Natural Disaster Area

Clint Thompson Georgia, USDA

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available United States Department of Agriculture WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Toombs County, Georgia, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to hail that occurred on April 8, 2020, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency …

USDA to Measure Small Grain Production

Clint Thompson Alabama, Corn, Florida, Georgia, Wheat

ATHENS, GA – In the upcoming week, growers of small grains around the country will receive survey forms from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2020 production and supply of small grains, which include wheat, oats, and rye. “The small grains industry is an important part of …

USDA Has Programs to Help Small-Scale Meat Processors

Clint Thompson Alabama, Beef, Florida, Georgia

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many across the country have looked at what it would take to get meat supplies from those closer to home. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) actually has programs that can help small-scale meat processors. USDA’s Undersecretary for Food Safety, Mindy Brashears, says the pandemic has underscored the …

USDA Announces New State Executive Director for Farm Service Agency in Georgia

Clint Thompson Georgia

Athens, Georgia — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced Rachel McLocklin Santos as the new State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia, serving as an appointee of President Donald J. Trump. FSA State Executive Directors help implement USDA policies in planning, organizing and administering FSA programs in their respective states. They are also …

USDA’s Conservation Chief Returning to Farming

Clint Thompson Environment

It’s been announced that the Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Matt Lohr will be stepping down. Gary Crawford talked with him about the fact he is needed back on the farm, thus the decision to leave NRCS. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024