USDA Designates Two Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Clint Thompson Alabama

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Baldwin and Mobile counties who suffered losses due to recent drought, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering …

USDA Dairy Safety-Net Program Sign-Up Begins Oct. 12

Clint Thompson Alabama, Dairy, Florida, Georgia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced that Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) safety-net sign-up for 2021 coverage will begin October 12 and will run through December 11, 2020. DMC has already triggered payments for two months for producers who signed up for 2020 coverage. “If we’ve learned anything in the past six months, it’s to expect …

USDA Expands Farmers.gov Features to Manage Conservation Activities

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

New self-service features on farmers.gov will help farmers and ranchers manage their conservation activities online and request assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Producers can access these conservation features by desktop computer, tablet or phone. They can now: View, download and e-sign documents; Request conservation assistance; Reference technical terms and submit questions; Access information …

USDA: Commodity Purchases Reach $2.2 Billion Through Aid Program

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

The Department of Agriculture announced the purchases of more than $2.2 billion of food items for fiscal years 2019 and 2020. The purchases are part of the ongoing efforts to feed people in need and assist American farmers and ranchers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. USDA is on target to reach its fiscal year …

USDA Updates CFAP Numbers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has processed more than 220,000 Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments to farmers and ranchers. In a weekly update, USDA data shows the department has issued $2.8 billion to farmers so far, with Iowa producers receiving the most, at $144 million for row crops and $150 million for livestock. Iowa also accounts for the highest …

Secretary Perdue Announces Modernization Blueprint for the USDA Forest Service

Clint Thompson Forestry

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a memorandum to Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen providing direction that will serve as a blueprint to help modernize the agency’s systems and approaches to ensure national forests and grasslands continue to meet the needs of the American people. “Under this administration, the Forest Service has sold more timber than …

USDA Announces Livestock Risk Protection Program Improvements

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Livestock

The Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced changes to the Livestock Risk Protection insurance program for feeder cattle, fed cattle and swine starting this summer. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) says changes include moving premium due dates to the end of the endorsement period and increasing premium subsidies to assist producers. RMA Administrator Martin Barbre says the changes will “make these …

USDA Announces Improvements to the Livestock Risk Protection Insurance Program This Summer

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia, Livestock

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2020 –USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced changes to the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance program for feeder cattle, fed cattle and swine starting this summer with the 2021 crop year. Changes include moving premium due dates to the end of the endorsement period and increasing premium subsidies to assist producers.  “These changes will make these policies …