Category Archives: News

Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for September

Posted on September 6, 2012 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for September 2012. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, down from 0.250 in August, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity … Continue reading →

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Livestock Producers Affected by Disasters Urged to Keep Good Records

Posted on August 31, 2012 by tanya brown

By Juan M. Garcia, Farm Service Agency Administrator The Farm Service Agency would like to remind livestock producers affected by natural disasters such as Hurricane Isaac to keep thorough records of their livestock and feed losses, including additional expenses for … Continue reading →

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Farm Income on Track to Set Record Despite Drought

Posted on August 29, 2012 by tanya brown

Farm income will still set a record this year despite the historic drought conditions. Net farm income is expected to rise 7 percents over last year. Crop insurance indemnity payments along with higher prices than originally forecasted in January before … Continue reading →

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Texas Man Sells Livestock Used as Collateral for FSA Loan

Posted on August 24, 2012 by tanya brown

A Texas man pleaded guilty to charges of selling cattle that was used as collateral on a USDA Farm Service Agency Loan. Michael Kord Chapman sold about 158 head of cattle valued at more than $83,400 and kept the money … Continue reading →

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Federal Pay Freeze Extended Into Next Year

Posted on August 23, 2012 by tanya brown

Federal employees hoping to see the 0.5 percent pay increase proposed by President Obama may have to wait until April 2013 before seeing any action. In a letter to Senate and House leaders, the president said he would exercise his … Continue reading →

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Changes to Emergency Loans, Crop Insurance Provides More Help to Producers Affected by Drought

Posted on August 22, 2012 by tanya brown

U.S. livestock and crop producers affected by the drought are receiving more help from the government. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will file special provisions with the federal crop insurance program to allow … Continue reading →

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First Meeting of American Indian Council Provides Insight to USDA Officials

Posted on August 21, 2012 by tanya brown

Combative and defensive. That’s the attitude Henry Porter Holder expected from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials last week during the inaugural meeting of the Council for American Indian Farmers and Ranchers. He left with a different perspective. “I was a … Continue reading →

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Demand for Emergency Loans Expected to Be Low

Posted on August 16, 2012 by tanya brown

Farm Service Agency officials don’t expect to see a lot of producers taking advantage of Emergency Farm Loans. Under the law, farmers cannot be compensated twice for crop losses and most producers carry crop insurance; however, livestock producers who suffered … Continue reading →

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More Initiatives Offered as Additional Counties Named Disaster Areas Due to Drought

Posted on August 16, 2012 by tanya brown

The Obama Administration is providing additional assistance to producers affected by the drought, as 172 more counties across in 15 states are added to the list of disaster areas due to drought and excessive heat. That brings the total number … Continue reading →

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U.S. Sees Increase in Number of Farmers Markets

Posted on August 3, 2012 by tanya brown

U.S. Farmers Markets have increased 9.6 percents since last year as Americans demand more locally fresh food. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan made the announcement as part of the kick off for National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 5-11. According to … Continue reading →

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