Weakening Crop Prices and High Production Costs Weigh on Farmer Sentiment

Agricultural producers’ sentiment declined for the second month in a row during September. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell nine points to a reading of 106. Producers expressed concern about both their current situation as well as future prospects for their farms. The Current Conditions and Futures Expectations Indices both declined ten points in September, leaving the Current …

New Crop Insurance Program for Controlled Environments

There’s a new crop insurance program, for a different kind of agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is announcing a new crop insurance program designed for agricultural producers using controlled environments in their operations. The new Controlled Environment Program from the Risk Management Agency is specifically for plants grown in fully enclosed environments and provides …

Farmers Recovery Center to Open in Suwannee and Dixie Counties

On Thursday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a Farmers Recovery Center will be open at the UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension Building, at 1302 11th Street SW in Live Oak. At the Farmers Recovery Center, you can learn about disaster assistance programs available for farmers. You will be able to meet with representatives from USDA Farm Service Agency, …

Funding Opportunities through Conservation Innovation Grants

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the availability of $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, NRCS is being directed to prioritize CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants, as well as other projects that have climate …

USDA Payments to Help Organic Dairy Producers

The USDA has announced a second round of payments for dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The agency is providing an additional $5 million to help dairy producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. The Farm Service Agency …

Deadlines Approaching for AIM for Climate Components

Some important deadlines are coming up for USDA climate programs. Rod Bain has more in today’s This Land of Ours Report. What’s the latest news from the agriculture innovation mission for climate? The US-United Arab Emirates co-chaired AIM for Climate Initiative sponsors a webinar the last week of September on the food systems and agriculture innovation agenda highlighting the upcoming …

Conservation Innovation Grant Opportunities Available

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made available $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands. It’s all through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, where NRCS is prioritizing CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants, as well as other projects that have climate mitigation benefits. …

Applications Due Friday for Scholarships to Advance Beef Industry

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) will be accepting applications for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program through Friday, September 22, 2023. The scholarship recognizes outstanding graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal agriculture. Two $15,000 grants are awarded to graduate students who demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and are committed to the advancement of the beef …

Georgia Peanut Tour Underway

The thirty-fifth annual Georgia Peanut Tour kicked off Tuesday afternoon in Bainbridge, Georgia. A hot topics round on peanuts took place where the discussion involved the advancements in integrative precision agriculture for enhanced peanut production and processing. Tyron Spearman looks at what is planned for today and tomorrow. The tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand view of industry …

USDA Forecasts U. S. Corn Production Up, Soybean, Cotton Production Down from 2022

(USDA-NASS/WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2023) — Corn production is up, while soybean and cotton production is down from 2022, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 10% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 3% from 2022, forecast at 4.15 …