USDA Ready to Assist Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Winter Storms

Dan Economy, USDA, Weather

(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families, and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers, and impacted communities. “USDA is committed to …

USDA NASS Sees AFBF Report as Opportunity to Cooperate

Dan USDA-NASS

A report, released last month by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), lays out several recommendations to improve the way the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collects surveys and reports data. It also gives recommendations to improve accuracy and farmer confidence in the survey results. After that report was released, Lance Honig, Chief of the Crops Branch of USDA NASS, …

USDA to Survey Planting Intentions

Clint Thompson USDA-NASS

The cold, wet conditions being experienced across the Southeast has many wondering when the 2021 crop production season will ever begin. But with that time nearing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. “Each year, the agriculture industry awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides …

USDA Forecasts Drop in Farm Income in 2021

Dan Education, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) just came out with its first farm income forecast for 2021. And according to a story from Gary Crawford, it could be an unusual income year.   USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer has more key numbers from the new farm income forecast. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, …

USDA Extends General Conservation Reserve Program Signup

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period. The previous deadline was Feb. 12, 2021. Acting Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Steve Peterson told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. The CRP program provides annual rental …

USDA Updates to Conservation Easements Strengthens Protection

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The program enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. NRCS received more than 570 comments on the ACEP interim rule, which …

USDA Temporarily Suspends Debt Collections on Farm Loans

Clint Thompson USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is temporarily suspending past-due debt collections and foreclosures for distressed borrowers under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and International debt collection agency. USDA will also temporarily suspend non-judicial foreclosures, debt offsets or …

USDA Expects Milk Production Increase in 2021

Clint Thompson Dairy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects milk production to increase this year. Stephanie Ho has a story explaining why. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski has more details of USDA’s forecast for month over month higher prices for dairy products. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, …

Updated Guide to USDA Programs Opens the Door to Available Funding

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Legislative, USDA-NRCS

Due to the wide range of resources available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it can be difficult for farmers and ranchers to navigate and stay up to date with program changes after each farm bill. But, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants you to know with the newly updated “Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities”, it’s easy to find …