Category Archives: News

USDA and Partners Complete First-of-its-Kind Sale of Carbon Credits

A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant has helped initiate a partnership that is improving the environment. Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, purchased nearly 40,000 carbon dioxide reduction tons generated on working ranch grasslands in the Prairie Pothole region of … Continue reading

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Agricultural Prices Program Modified

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service is modifying the agricultural prices program. Only full month prices will be published starting January 2015. Preliminary prices will be discontinued after December 2014. Adjusted base prices will be published in the February report … Continue reading

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Coverage Selection for New 2014 Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Begins Nov. 17

Producers can begin enrolling in one of two safety net programs beginning Monday, Nov. 17. The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs were created under the 2014 Farm Bill and are designed to help producers better … Continue reading

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Corn, Soybeans Expected to Reach Record-High Yields

Corn production is expected to reach 14.4 billion bushels this year, up 3 percent from 2013, according to the Crop Production report released this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows. Soybean production is forecast at 3.96 billion bushels … Continue reading

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Microloan Cap Grows to $50,000 Starting Today, Nov. 7

The FSA borrowing limit for microloans increased today from $35,000 to $50,000. Microloans offer borrowers simplified lending with less paperwork and makes borrowing from FSA a “first opportunity” to farm or quickly expand an existing operation. The microloan change allows … Continue reading

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Agricultural Exports Hit Record Levels in 2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its final total for U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year 2014, which hit a record high of $152.5 billion, up from $141 billion from last year. “American farmers and ranchers have once again achieved … Continue reading

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Vote in the 2014 County Committee Elections

Voting for the 2014 County Committee Elections is underway. Ballots were mailed last week. Eligible Producers who have not received a ballot may obtain one in their local county office. County committee members provide an important link between the local … Continue reading

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for November

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

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USDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program Deadlines

Dairy farmers now have more time to make a decision on the dairy Margin Protection Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the deadline for the program has been extended until Dec. 5, 2014. “We want dairy producers … Continue reading

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Let Your Voice be Heard: County Committee Voting Opens Nov. 3

Voting for the 2014 County Committee Elections opens Monday, Nov. 3, with the mailing of new ballots to eligible voters. County committee members provide an important link between the local agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county … Continue reading

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