house

Public Input Needed on Implementation of SUSTAINS Act

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind the public that September 16th is the deadline to provide input on how best to implement the SUSTAINS Act. It authorizes the agency to accept private contributions to channel through several existing USDA-NRCS conservation programs.  Specifically, the SUSTAINS Act provides an opportunity for the private sector to partner with USDA to engage farmers, ranchers, …

Farm Bill

USDA Releases Updated Guidance on Labeling

The USDA releases updated guidance on labeling. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA announced the availability of updated guidelines that make recommendations to strengthen the documentation that supports animal-raising or environment-related claims on meat or poultry product labels. The action builds on the work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels. …

specialty crops

USDA Announces Grant Funding to Strengthen U.S. Specialty Crops Industry

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $82.3 million to 65 recipients to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and support the industry’s producers. This includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. The funding is through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program (SCMP). Jenny Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory …

Florida family farm

Another Florida Family Farm Preserved through RFLPP

It was announced today that another Florida family farm has been preserved through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP).  The Joseph Miller Ranch, a 490-acre cow/calf operation in St. Lucie County, is being preserved through a rural land protection easement for $2,070,000.  The ranch is a 490-acre cow/calf operation located about 14 miles …

Florida family farm

Florida Family Farm Being Preserved through RFLPP

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of a Florida family farm through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). Lowder’s Gulf Hammock, a 691-acre working timber and wetland property in Levy County, is being preserved through a rural land protection easement for $691,200.  The RFLPP purchases the development rights to the agricultural properties through voluntary rural land protection …

USDA Cotton Report

Acreage updates for cotton were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data. All cotton planted area totaled 11.2 million acres, down 4 percent from the previous forecast but up 9 percent from 2023. Area harvested is forecast at 8.63 million acres, up 34 percent from 2023. All cotton production is forecast 15.1 million 480-pound bales, up 25 percent from the previous …

wetland

Wetland Proposals are Due August 16

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals until August 16, 2024 for their Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP).  NRCS is investing up to $50 million through WREP to support conservation partners with local projects that help protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands and help mitigate climate change. The program allows eligible conservation partners to work with local agriculture …

financial

Slight Improvement in Farmer Sentiment

Farmer sentiment did see a slight improvement in July as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 8 points to 113. The Index of Current Conditions was up 10 points to 100, and the Index of Future Expectations was 7 points higher than a month earlier.  The July survey showed that high input costs remained the biggest concern for 34% of …

crop report

USDA Forecast: U.S. Corn Production Down, Soybeans & Cotton Up

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Crop Production report shows corn production this year will be down 1% from last year while soybean production is expected to increase 10% from 2023.  The corn forecast, at 15.1 billion bushels, is expected to have an average yield at a record high 183.1 bushels per acre, up 5.8 bushels from last year. Soybeans, forecast …

hurricane debby

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, and Communities Affected by Hurricane Debby

(USDA/WASHINGTON, August 7, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and …