(GDA/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 16, 2023) — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has issued a natural disaster declaration for five counties located in Southwest and Northeast Georgia following a sustained period of drought, adding to the fifteen Northwest Georgia Counties already declared primary natural disaster areas in recent weeks. Impacted counties include Decatur, Early, Miller, Seminole, and Union, which have sustained eight or …
North Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following Recent Drought
(GDAC/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 10, 2023) — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has issued a natural disaster declaration for 11 Georgia counties following a sustained period of drought, adding to the four Northwest Georgia Counties already declared primary natural disaster areas last week. Impacted counties include Bartow, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield, which have sustained eight …
New USDA Investment in Specialty Crop Research
USDA is investing $70.2 million in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support nearly two dozen research and Extension projects. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced the funding on a call with reporters and described the kinds of projects that will be funded. “The awarded projects addressed key challenges of national, regional and multi state importance to the food …
Farmer Sentiment Rises in Latest Ag Economy Barometer
The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose four points in October to 110. The modest improvement in farmer sentiment resulted from farmers’ improved perspective on current conditions on their farms as well as their expectations for the future. The Index of Current Conditions rose three points to 101, while the Index of Future Expectations rose five points to 114. …
Northwest Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(GDAC/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 6, 2023) — For the first time in four years, Georgia has been impacted by extreme drought conditions, negatively impacting our state’s agricultural industry. Last week, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Tom Vilsack issued a natural disaster declaration for four Georgia counties for following a sustained period of drought. Impacted counties include Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker, which have sustained …
Florida NRCS Holding CSP Webinar November 6
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a virtual workshop and overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers and non-industrial, private forest landowners on Monday, November 6, 2023. CSP is a unique program that offers additional conservation and financial opportunities. Florida CSP funding for fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) was increased to $15.5 million. There will be two …
GPC Announces Plans for 47th Annual Farm Show
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) reminds growers and industry leaders to mark their calendars for next year’s Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The show is free and open to all producers and industry …
Speaker Johnson a “Real Win for Cattle Producers”
The nation has a new Speaker of the House, and he’s someone already trusted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane said though Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has not served on the Agriculture Committee, he has a strong voting record when it comes to agriculture. “He has been a pretty reliable …
Farm Bill Extension Expected
As the House continues its search for a new speaker, some members of the Senate are watching and waiting for the legislative work to continue, especially when it comes to the Farm Bill. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said he believes it continues to get more unlikely that a farm bill will be completed this year. “The dysfunction …
USDA Conducting Sheep Study in 2024
USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) conducts a national sheep study approximately every ten years, and will do so again next year. The Sheep 2024 Study will support industry groups and research efforts with new information on sheep health and management. The study consists of two phases and includes biological sampling and two questionnaires. A random selection of almost …