Many Participants Will Receive Payments Beginning in Early June The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy farmers of the June 1 deadline to enroll in the improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Many producers will see payments in early June, depending on the coverage they elect. The program protects dairy producers by paying them based on the difference between …
USDA-EPA Discuss Year-Round E15
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials met to discuss ways to increase ethanol usage and to address refiner concerns about volatility in the market for biofuel credits. An Agri-Pulse report says the meeting followed months of discussions at the White House on the issue. It also follows months of concerns over the way EPA Administrator …
Three More Top USDA Vacancies Filled
Three more key USDA vacancies are now filled. Gary Crawford has the details. Three More Top USDA Vacancies Filled Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, …
U.S. Government to Spend $50 Million in Seed Quality
The U.S. is trailing China in federal ag research and seed-breeding investments. China has outspent the U.S. in those categories for the past ten years. To help combat the low spending, House Democrats Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Darren Soto of Florida introduced the Seeds for the Future Act earlier this year. A Farm Journal report quotes a release from …
USDA Invests $256 Million in Water Infrastructure in Rural Communities
Investments Will Support 81 Projects in 35 States Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $256 million in 81 projects (PDF, 233 KB) to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas in 35 states. “No matter what zip code you live in, infrastructure is a foundation for quality of …
OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal
The Department of Agriculture has stopped consideration of a national organic checkoff program. The Agricultural Marketing Service published the proposal this week to terminate the rulemaking for the organic checkoff. USDA says the decision is “based on uncertain industry support” for the program and “substantive issues” with the proposed program. The Organic Trade Association however says the USDA actions reflects …
Starling Moves from White House to USDA
In announcing leadership for Department of Agriculture agencies last week, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue also announced the movement of Ray Starling from the White House to USDA. Agri-Pulse reports that Starling, who has served as a special assistant to the president for agriculture, will now serve as Secretary Perdue’s chief of staff. Starling will replace Heidi Green who is returning …
Pasture Conditions Worse than Last Year
USDA’s first pasture and range report for 2018 shows conditions are worse than they were this time last year. Stephanie Ho has the story. Pasture Conditions Worse than Last Year-1 USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has more details of the first pasture and range condition report for 2018. Pasture Conditions Worse than Last Year-2 Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support …
Safety Net Coverage Enrollment Continues
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018. Producers on a farm that are not enrolled for the 2018 enrollment period will not be eligible …
Secretary Perdue Commits to Prioritizing Food Waste Solutions
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted a food waste roundtable with Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-1) and David Young (IA-3), food industry leaders, and non-profit groups at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This roundtable, the first of many USDA public events on food waste, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness while discussing solutions with leaders throughout the entire …