The partial government shutdown, including non-essential USDA functions, is raising producer concerns over timely farm bill implementation, ahead of this year’s planting season. As if farmers didn’t have enough problems with years of low-prices, trade and other troubles. Now, the partial government shutdown, in its second week, is unnerving producers, according to American Farm Bureau Executive Director Dale Moore. “It’s …
Some USDA Programs Continue
Due to the Federal Government shutdown, some U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) activities have been shut down or significantly reduced and some USDA employees furloughed. But, some USDA activities continue. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
MFP Payment Deadline May be Extended
A majority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wasn’t originally disrupted by the partial government shutdown, but now that it has moved into 2019, it is in various ways. One of those is sending the second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to farmers. Farm Journal said if the standoff continues, it will more than likely affect the timing …
Food Banks Struggling With Too Much Milk
A USDA program designed to buy and distribute almost $50 million in dairy products is overwhelming food pantries in Iowa and Illinois. An Associated Press article says River Bend Foodbank CEO Mike Miller says about 80,000 half-gallons of milk will be sent to food banks across the Quad City (Iowa) region through March. The large rise in milk donations comes …
Second Round of Trade Aid Payments Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward on the second and final round of trade mitigation payments to farmers hurt from retaliation by America’s trading partners. Commodity producers are now eligible to receive market facilitation payments (MFP) on the second half of their 2018 production. USDA has been sending out the first round of MFP payments to producers …
Perdue Details USDA Functions in the Event of a Lapse in Federal Funding
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue detailed which functions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will remain available in the event of a lapse in government funding. “There may be a lapse in funding for the federal government, but that will not relieve USDA of its responsibilities for safeguarding life and property through the critical services we provide,” said …
Perdue Announces ERS, NIFA Site Selection Criteria
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the criteria the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed to evaluate the 136 Expressions of Interest received from parties in 35 states vying to become the new homes of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Secretary Perdue announced in August 2018 that most ERS and NIFA personnel would …
Perdue Applauds USDA’s 2018 Accomplishments
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the accomplishments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the past year. USDA has continued enacting President Trump’s goals of regulatory reform, streamlining government and refocusing USDA to be customer oriented. “In 2018 we have fought for American farmers, ranchers and producers by delivering new and improved trade deals like USMCA …
USDA Animal/Plant Protection Continues if Government Shuts Down
There has been a lot of talk about a possible federal government shutdown again. But according to a story from Gary Crawford, U.S. Crops, Livestock and Food Supply protection programs would continue unabated if there were to be a shutdown. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
USDA Highlights Benefits of Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool
More than 21,400 dairy producers opted for coverage through the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) in 2018, up by more than 2,000 producers from the previous year. This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program was significantly updated in February by the Bipartisan Act of 2018, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said those changes attracted more producers to enroll in the safety …