USDA to Provide $1 Billion in Loan Guarantees for Rural Businesses and Ag Producers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Industry, USDA-NASS

Contact: USDA PressEmail: press@oc.usda.gov WASHINGTON, D.C., May 21, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the Department is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding …

Senators Seek Meat Worker Protections from USDA

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, General, Livestock

Senate Democrats want Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide more worker safety protection to meat processing employees. A group of 29 Senators, led by Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, penned a letter to Perdue outlining recommendations for ways the Department of Agriculture should improve worker safety. The Senators wrote, “While we recognize the importance of keeping these plants running, it …

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers Through Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Industry, Legislative

Farmers and Ranchers to Receive Direct Support for Losses Related to COVID-19 Contact: USDA PressEmail: press@oc.usda.gov (Washington, D.C., May 19, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus …

USDA Seeks Feedback From Producers About 2020 Crops and Stocks

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, USDA-NASS

ATHENS, GA – During the next several weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the June Agricultural Survey. The agency will contact nearly 5,000 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2020. “The June Agricultural Survey is a critical survey of commodities …

USDA SECURE Rule Paves Way for Agricultural Innovation

Clint Thompson General

(Washington, D.C., May 14, 2020) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a final rule updating and modernizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act. The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule will bring USDA’s plant biotechnology regulations into the 21st century by removing duplicative and antiquated processes in order to …

USDA Cuts Forecasts for Meat Production

Clint Thompson Beef, Cattle, Florida, Georgia, Industry

USDA analysts have come out with new forecasts for meat production for both 2020 and 2021. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

USDA to Host Webinar for Producers

Clint Thompson Fruits, Vegetables

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) will host a webinar on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET, for farmers, ranchers and other producers interested in applying for direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This webinar is an opportunity for producers to learn about the general application …

Lower Corn and Bean Prices in USDA May Reports

Clint Thompson Corn, Soybeans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its May crop reports today, which indicates lower prices for both corn and soybeans. Rod Bain explains why the USDA made the downward price adjustment estimates compared to last month. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

USDA Reminds Florida Producers to Complete Crop Acreage Reports

Clint Thompson Florida

(GAINESVILLE, Fl) – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in Florida are currently open to phone and virtual appointments only but can still work with producers on timely filing crop acreage reports. FSA staff can provide assistance over the phone, by email and through virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams. Acreage reporting dates vary by crop and by county. Contact your …

USDA Announces $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Funds

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of up to $5 million for wetland mitigation banks. This funding, through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, is available to help conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. “Wetlands are critically important to the health of our natural resources — …