Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue toured Europe, speaking with officials from several different countries about a variety of issues, including trade. After stops in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, Perdue said the trip has been very productive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would be withdrawing the interim final rule under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards …
USDA Helps Small Businesses Develop New Agricultural Products, Technology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help bring agricultural business ideas from the drawing board to the marketplace. Funding is made through NIFA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program. “For small agricultural businesses, the federal government is a key, initial investor to help them get great ideas into the marketplace,” said …
USDA Designates 19 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 19 counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 9, 2017, through Sept.12, 2017. Those counties are: Alachua Gilchrist Indian River Monroe Bradford Glades Lake Osceola Broward Hendry Lee Palm Beach Charlotte Highlands Marion Sumter Collier Hillsborough Miami-Dade Farmers …
USDA Invests in Research on Next Generation of Agricultural Technology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 17 grants for research on the next generation of agricultural technologies and systems to meet the growing demand for food, fuel, and fiber. The grants are funded through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Technology is front and center …
USDA Holds Disaster Assistance and Hurricane Recovery Workshops
USDA Service Centers in Florida are holding disaster assistance and hurricane recovery workshops in 48 counties for farmers and ranchers impacted by Hurricane Irma during the next few weeks. The event is free and open to the public. To find meeting dates and locations, go to https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Florida/state-events/index. Representatives from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) …
USDA Suspends CRP Enrollment
The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would process many pending eligible offers for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. USDA also announced it would suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through September 30th, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, …
Report Recommends Changes for NASS Data Collection
A new report suggests the Department of Agriculture should develop a new system for gathering information for crop reports and other surveys. USDA contracted with the National Academy of Sciences three years ago to audit how USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects data. The report highlighted that NASS could make several changes over time to improve the accuracy of its …
Censky, McKinney, Sworn in at USDA
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue welcomed two leaders to his staff at the Department of Agriculture Tuesday. Perdue swore in Steve Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as USDA’s new Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Perdue says Censky and McKinney are “two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees,” who will provide steady leadership at …
USDA Has Wrapped Up Data Collection for Upcoming Crop Report
Many are waiting to see the numbers when USDA releases its annual October Crop Production Report this Thursday. And according to a story from Gary Crawford, data collection has wrapped up for the upcoming report. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Secretary Perdue Statement on Ibach & Northey Senate Committee Hearing
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue commended Greg Ibach and Bill Northey, two nominees for key posts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for their joint appearance before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. President Donald J. Trump nominated Ibach to serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) and selected Northey for Under Secretary …