The U.S. Ag Department (USDA) sent a letter to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) advising them that changes will be coming to the program. The Hagstrom Report says USDA will allow states more flexibility in managing SNAP. Brandon Lipps, the acting undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumers services says the USDA will allow more flexibility in …
USDA Announces Sorghum Checkoff Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of five members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board. The producers appointed to serve three year terms are: Klint G. Stewart Columbus, Neb. Carlton Bridgeforth, Decatur, Ala. Verity Ulibarri, Melrose, N.M. Shayne C. Suppes, Scott City, Kan. Charles Ray Huddleston, Celina, Texas “The United Sorghum Checkoff Program helps sorghum producers …
Perdue: U.S. Farm Exports to Continue Strong in FY 2018
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) export forecast. “This quarterly trade forecast reflects the fact that U.S. agricultural exports are continuing strong in the 2018 fiscal year. We just closed out FY 2017 with the third-highest export total on record and I’m delighted to see that FY 2018 is …
Dairy Producers Reminded of December 15 Deadline
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers that December 15, 2017 is the deadline to enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Additional flexibility was added this year which provides dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. In order to opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration …
FSA County Election Deadline Looming
The deadline to return Farm Service Agency county committee election ballots is approaching. The Department of Agriculture says eligible producers must return the ballots to their local FSA office, or be postmarked by December 4th, 2017, to ensure their votes are counted. FSA acting administrator Steve Peterson says approximately 1.5 million producers are eligible to vote in this year’s election, …
USDA Provides Tips and Resources for a Bacteria-Free Thanksgiving
More than 45 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving Day, with a never-ending list of side dishes and desserts. The Thanksgiving meal is by far the largest and most stressful meal many consumers prepare all year, leaving room for mistakes that can make guests sick. But never fear, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) …
USDA Revises 2018 Beef, Pork and Dairy Forecasts
USDA has revised their beef, pork and dairy production and price forecasts for 2018. Gary Crawford has the report. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida …
USDA Designates 83 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 83 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 2017. Those counties are: Appling Crisp Lee Stewart Atkinson Decatur Liberty Sumter Bacon Dodge Long Tattnall Baker Dooly Lowndes Taylor Ben Hill Echols McIntosh Telfair Berrien …
Some Good News for Corn in the Latest USDA WASDE Report
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated a corn crop for 2017 higher than U.S. farmers have ever realized, coming in with a whopping 175.4 bushels to acre average. That would equate to a record 14.578 billion bushels of corn harvested this year. The yield guess was significantly higher than analysts like Mike Zuzolo from Global Commodity Analytics was …
Secretary Perdue Launches Veteran Resources at USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the launch of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources to provide comprehensive and timely support to veterans interested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. The resources include a new website and a USDA-wide AgLearn curriculum to allow all employees to understand the unique opportunities offered to our nation’s veterans. “From the beginning …