Category Archives: News

USDA will allocate $234.5 million to 70 trade organizations to help promote American food and agricultural products overseas. The funding, which was announced today, will “provide our exporters with the resources they need to compete overseas during the 21st century,” … Continue reading →

A study conducted by the USDA Economic Research Service shows that fewer farmers rely on debt to operate their farms. In an interview with USDA Daily Radio News, Economic Researcher Michael Harris, stated that debt has grown, but not as … Continue reading →

Weather conditions that were too wet, too dry or too cold took its toll on apple and cranberry crops in Wisconsin, according to USDA. Farmers grew nearly 44 million pounds of apples, down 31 percent from last year. Cranberries dipped … Continue reading →

Crop insurers have proposed to take a $100 million-per-year cut in subsidies, which is much less than the $800 million introduced by USDA’s Risk Management Agency as part of a renegotiation of the 5-year standard reinsurance agreement. (AgWeek) Read more.

Cotton acreage has decreased each year since 2005 as higher corn and soybean prices increased due to biofuel demand. That trend is expected to end this year, according to analysts, as high cotton prices and global demand for cotton offer an … Continue reading →

The USDA has designated five counties in Tennessee as natural disaster areas due to excessive rainfall that began last September. Several contiguous counties as well as a few counties in the adjacent states of Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia also … Continue reading →

USDA has designated McKinley County in New Mexico as a primary natural disaster area due to heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding that occurred last September. Several counties contiguous to McKinley also qualify for disaster assistance as well as Apache … Continue reading →

 A Web-based payment calculator is now available to help producers determine financial benefits they may receive under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program. The calculator — designed by USDA Farm Service Agency — gives producers a tool to help … Continue reading →

The USDA and Department of the Navy have partnered to encourage the development of advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems. "This agreement is part of President Obama's vision of a coordinated federal effort to build a clean energy economy, … Continue reading →

A report by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture shows biofuels from plants grown in the Chesapeake Bay could create more than 18,000 jobs, 500 million gallons of fuel and help prevent millions of pounds of … Continue reading →