Author Archives: tanya brown

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised the resiliency of farmers and ranchers after the Farm Income report, released this week, showed U.S. farm income set to hit a record high.   “This year brought a host of challenges for America’s farmers, … Continue reading →

A union representing federal employees has told The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to leave federal employees alone and target contractors as a way of cutting federal spending. Known as the supercommittee, the 12-member group was formed as part … Continue reading →

Emergency grazing for acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program has been extended for producers in El Paso and Elbert counties in Colorado. Eligible producers must obtain approval from FSA before haying eligible acres. The extension runs through Sept. 30, … Continue reading →

Corn plants that Monsanto Company genetically modified to resist rootworm are falling prey to the predator in several Iowa fields. The findings have scientists concerned that farmers who use these genetically modified crops could create superbugs. Monsanto said the corn … Continue reading →

Drought along the southern Plains has created high demand for hay. That’s good news for farmers in the north, but bad news for producers in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas who are paying inflated prices for the hay and additional costs … Continue reading →

A survey of Indiana farmland showed prices rose 25 percent across the state in 2010. Supply and demand along with strong grain prices and low interest rates have sent the state’s farmland to record highs. According to the survey, poor-quality … Continue reading →

USDA issued guidance this week for producers who have livestock in states that may be affected by Hurricane Irene. These tips will help farmers and ranchers protect the health of these animals in the event of power outages, flooding and … Continue reading →

Producers and landowners interested in participating in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program have a couple of weeks left to sign up. BCAP provides incentives to farmers, ranchers and landowners to produce biomass crops for heat, power, biobased products and biofuels. … Continue reading →

USDA and the state of Kansas have agreed to expand the existing enrollment cap for the Upper Arkansas River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program from 20,000 to 28,950 acres. The additional acres and increased cap will allow landowners and operators in … Continue reading →