Category Archives: News

Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for November

Posted on November 1, 2012 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for November 2012. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, unchanged from October, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing … Continue reading →

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Most FSA Offices Along the East Coast Remain Open, Operational After Sandy

Posted on November 1, 2012 by tanya brown

Several Farm Service Agency county offices in areas where Superstorm Sandy hit have resumed operation while others remain closed as recovery efforts continue. All state offices are open and operational. Connecticut: All five service centers are open.  Delaware: All offices … Continue reading →

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USDA to Release Crop Report Oct. 31

Posted on October 31, 2012 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has rescheduled the Oct. 29, 2012, releases of Rice Stocks, Peanut Stocks and Processing and Crop Progress for Wed., Oct. 31. Rice Stocks will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, … Continue reading →

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Silos Prove Deadly for Young Workers on American Farms

Posted on October 29, 2012 by tanya brown

Fourteen teenage boys and 80 farmworkers have died in silo accidents since 2007. Although the number of farm accidents has dropped, the rate of grain bin and silo entrapments remain steady, leaving experts blaming flaws in worker safety laws and … Continue reading →

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Hurricane Sandy Delays USDA Crop Progress Report

Posted on October 29, 2012 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), has delayed the Oct. 29, 2012, releases of Rice Stocks, Peanut Stocks and Processing and Crop Progress due to the hurricane-related closures of Washington, D.C., federal government offices. The rescheduled … Continue reading →

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Trade Agreement Will Lift Tariffs on Agricultural Goods Starting Oct. 31

Posted on October 25, 2012 by tanya brown

Nearly half of U.S. agricultural goods will become duty-free on Oct. 31 when Panama eliminates tariffs on more than 86 percent of American industrial and consumer goods. Earlier this week, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Panamanian Minister of Commerce … Continue reading →

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Prickly Plants Might Cleanse California Soil

Posted on October 25, 2012 by tanya brown

It’s hard to believe that ancient seas once covered a large part of California’s San Joaquin Valley—until you check the soils. That’s when you’ll discover that those seas left behind marine sediments, shale formations and deposits of selenium and other … Continue reading →

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USDA Researchers Look to Extend Strawberry Growing Season

Posted on October 24, 2012 by tanya brown

Researchers are finding new ways to extend the growing season for strawberries in the Mid-Atlantic area. By using low tunnels — a canopy-like structure made of plastic over support hoops — agricultural scientists are able to start the strawberry season … Continue reading →

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Drought Assistance Improves 1 Million Acres of U.S. Farmland

Posted on October 24, 2012 by tanya brown

More than 1 million acres of farmland across the United States has rebounded from drought as nearly 2,000 producers took advantage of conservation funding by the USDA Natural Conservation Service. “This tremendous response reflects the severity of this year’s drought … Continue reading →

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Voting for County Committee Elections Starts in 2 Weeks

Posted on October 22, 2012 by tanya brown

Only two weeks left before the start of the 2012 Farm Service Agency County Committee elections. Voting opens Nov. 5 with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. All eligible voters have until Dec. 3 to complete the ballot and … Continue reading →

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