The Department of Agriculture seeks public comments on recommended improvements to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program by Nov. 5, 2020. USDA’s Risk Management Agency contracted for an independent evaluation of the program to determine its effectiveness as a risk management tool for livestock producers. RMA Administrator Martin Barbre says, “We want to be sure that the …
Commissioner Fried to Florida Farmers: Apply for Second Round of USDA Support Immediately
Tallahassee, Fla. — Following this morning’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on additional funding to support agricultural producers facing market disruptions and costs due to COVID-19, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging all eligible Florida farmers to apply as soon as applications open on Monday, September 21 with the enrollment period running through December 11, 2020. Up to an additional $14 billion has been designated for additional support through the Coronavirus Food Assistance …
USDA to Provide Additional Direct Assistance to Farmers, Ranchers Impacted by the Coronavirus
(Washington, D.C., September 18, 2020) – President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today up to an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin Sept. 21 and run through December 11, 2020. “America’s …
USDA Announces Contracts for Round 3 of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Washington, D.C., September 17, 2020 – Following President Donald Trump’s approval to include up to an additional $1 billion in the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved up to $1 billion in contracts to support American producers and communities in need through the USDA Farmers to …
USDA Encourages Ag Producers, Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Sally
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), …