Category Archives: News

The second meeting of the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee will be held June 3-4 at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The meeting, which is open to the public, will allow the committee to review farm milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability. … Continue reading →

An independent study has found that USDA’s international market development programs have had a significant impact on U.S. agricultural trade. According to the report, which focuses on the period between 2002 and 2009, a rise in market development spending increased … Continue reading →

Corn and soybean planting is still on record-setting pace, but rain has caused a major slow down in much of the Midwest. According to USDA, 87 percent of the nations corn crop is planted, which is 9 percentage points ahead … Continue reading →

A study conducted by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Kansas State University found that unplowed soil is more stable than tilled soil and stores more carbon, which helps bind soil particles together. The bound particles make the first inch … Continue reading →

Republican Senate candidate Clint Didier of Pasco, Wash., is campaigning against federal government aid programs, while being the recipient of more than $270,000 in farm subsidies since 1995. Although Didier acknowledges receiving the subsidies, he believes farms should be weaned … Continue reading →

Farmers and state officials in California are exploring ways to solve the nitrogen pollution problem that is impacting groundwater in much of the state. One option would require mandatory groundwater-monitoring wells on each farm, while another option would be to … Continue reading →

The recession has affected many farmers with the rising costs of corn seed and fertilizer, yet many producers feel the industry has not been hit as hard as other industries. “A successful farmer has to be one of the best … Continue reading →

Agricultural banks and lenders have performed well during the economic crisis; however, more farmers are having problems repaying loans due to unemployment in rural areas. “The increased unemployment in rural areas has certainly impacted debt repayment capacity of many farm … Continue reading →

USDA released a new program today encouraging retired or retiring farm owners currently in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to transition their land to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. The Transition Incentives Program will provide an annual rental … Continue reading →

Farm income is expected to rise 10 percent over last year’s numbers due to a strong market for hogs and cattle, according to USDA. The estimated $63 billion profit is short of the $80 billion seen in 2004 and $70 … Continue reading →