USDA Posts 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Final Report

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

Scientific report and public comments will inform upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 – The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s final scientific report today. It’s an objective review of the latest available science on specific nutrition topics. The report’s evidence-based findings will inform USDA and the U.S. Department of Health …

USDA Announces More Than 1.2 Million Acres Accepted in Sign-up for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands

Clint Thompson Alabama, Environment, Florida, Georgia

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2020 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the acceptance of more than 1.2 million acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands during the recent sign-up period that began March 16 and ended May 15. The number of acres offered during this signup period was 1.9 million acres, over …

Florida Receives $440,000 in USDA Farm to School Grant Funds

Clint Thompson Florida

Tallahassee, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will award $440,913 to six Florida-based recipients for the Farm to School Grant program. The Florida awardees include the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and its direct support organization Florida Agriculture in the Classroom. USDA Farm to School Grants support a wide range of activities …

USDA Announces Initial Purchase of Vaccine for National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank

Clint Thompson Alabama, Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Florida, Georgia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the initial purchase of vaccine for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). APHIS will invest $27.1 million in foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, which the agency would use in the event of an outbreak to protect animals and help stop the spread of disease. …

USDA Seeks Input on RFID Eartag Proposal

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

The Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment on the transition to RFID only ear tags. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) wants the public input on the proposal where APHIS would only approve RFID as the official eartag for use in interstate movement of cattle that are required to be identified by the traceability regulations. An official …

USDA Designates 10 Georgia Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Clint Thompson Georgia

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available WASHINGTON, July 7, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 10 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.  This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend …

USDA Reminds Producers to Complete Crop Acreage Reports

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after spring planting are being reminded to make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the July 15 deadline. While that date is a major deadline for most crops, acreage reporting deadlines do vary by county and by crop. Contact your FSA county office for …

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 …