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
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, August 10, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020. “For producers producing food …
USDA Announces Changes in Emergency Haying and Grazing Provisions on CRP Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced today changes for emergency haying and grazing of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This includes changes outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill that streamlines the authorization process for farmers and ranchers. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce explains some of the provisions covered. Previously, emergency haying and grazing …
New USDA Survey to Measure Areas for Improvement
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2020 – WASHINGTON, August 7, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today 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 …
USDA Announces Changes to Emergency Haying and Grazing Provisions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced today changes for emergency haying and grazing of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This includes changes outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill that streamlines the authorization process for farmers and ranchers. “FSA authorizes emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program …
USDA Extends Deadlines, Defers Interest Accrual Due to COVID-19
WASHINGTON, August 5, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced today it will authorize Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to extend deadlines for premium and administrative fee payments, defer the resulting interest accrual and allow other flexibilities to help farmers, ranchers and insurance providers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “USDA recognizes farmers and ranchers have been …
Commissioner Fried to USDA Secretary: Expand CFAP to Include More Commodities
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Tuesday, once again asking the USDA to expand eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to include additional agricultural commodities. On July 9, the USDA announced expanded CFAP eligibility that included many impacted Florida crops, but aquaculture and horticulture commodities were not …
During Hurricane Season, USDA Offers New and Improved Insurance Options
By Martin R. Barbre, Administrator, Risk Management Agency, USDA The 2020 hurricane season has begun, and many experts have predicted above-normal activity this year. USDA is ready to help you during this hurricane season. USDA Helps Producers Recover From Disasters and Prepare for Future Ones USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently introduced a new crop insurance hurricane endorsement, Hurricane Insurance …
USDA Making Improvements to Livestock Gross Margin Insurance Program
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced changes to the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) insurance program for cattle and swine beginning in the 2021 crop year. Changes include adding premium subsidies to assist producers and moving premium due dates to the end of the endorsement period for cattle. According to a story from Gary Crawford, the changes may make it …
USDA Provides Update on Investigation Following 2019 Tyson Beef Plant Closure and COVID-19 Pandemic
USDA (Washington, D.C., July 22, 2020) – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation. “The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire …