Category Archives: News

2012 Census Shows Increase in Young, Beginning Farmers

Posted on May 9, 2014 by tanya brown

More young people are getting into farming as a full-time job. The 2012 Census of Agriculture data shows an 11.3 percent increase in young and beginning principal operators who reported their primary occupation as farming. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics … Continue reading →

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Need More Information on Farm Bill Implementation?

Posted on May 2, 2014 by tanya brown

The USDA Farm Service Agency is working diligently to implement services and programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. To keep the public updated, FSA has provided a Web page to keep farmer and ranchers updated on the progress being … Continue reading →

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Net Farm Income Forecast to Fall in 2014

Posted on March 6, 2014 by tanya brown

The net farm income is forecast to be $95.8 billion in 2014, according to an updated report released this week by the USDA Economic Research Service. That’s down 26.6 percent from 2013’s forecast of $130.5 billion. If realized, it would … Continue reading →

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USDA Provides $3 Million to Improve Honey Bee Health

Posted on March 5, 2014 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $3 million in technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to help improve the health of bees. Funding will be provided through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS), Environmental Quality Incentives Program … Continue reading →

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Funding Available to Help With Agricultural Water Challenges

Posted on March 5, 2014 by tanya brown

In an effort to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners mitigate the impacts of drought, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make $6 million in grants available this year and up to $30 million over the next five years to … Continue reading →

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Farm Sector’s Financial Health Dependent on Land

Posted on March 4, 2014 by tanya brown

Real estate assets play a major role in the farm sector’s financial health, according to an updated report from the USDA Economic Research Service. Real estate has accounted for the majority of the total value of farm sector assets and … Continue reading →

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USDA Releases Pesticide Data; Results Prove No Safety Concern

Posted on March 4, 2014 by tanya brown

Overall pesticide chemical residues found on foods tested are at levels below the tolerances established by the Environmental Protection Agency and do not pose a safety concern, according to the latest data from the 2012 USDA Pesticide Data Program. Based … Continue reading →

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Nominations Sought for National Honey Board

Posted on March 3, 2014 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the National Honey Board. The board is composed of 10 members who serve a three-year term. All nominations must be made by qualified national organizations within the honey industry and include … Continue reading →

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for March

Posted on March 3, 2014 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for March 2014. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from February 2013, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year … Continue reading →

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USDA Reinstates Agricultural Estimates Programs

Posted on February 28, 2014 by tanya brown

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has reinstated several agricultural estimate programs previously suspended due to sequestration. The programs—which include All Catfish and Trout Reports, July Cattle Report, Potato Stocks Reports, Non-Citrus Fruit, Nut and Vegetable Forecasts and Estimates & Monthly … Continue reading →

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