The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will host a Q&A session tomorrow, March 8 via Twitter to help answer questions regarding the 2012 Census of Agriculture to be conducted later this year. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count taken every five years of America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and objective agricultural information for every county in the nation. Renee Picanso, NASS census and survey division director along with Joe Prusacki, NASS statistics division director, will conduct a live session via Twitterview on March 8 at 1 p.m. EST. Email questions in advance and access the live session on March 8.

The Farm Service Agency is now accepting guaranteed loan applications for the Conservation Loan Program. Based on a March 7 Federal Register notice, a lack of funding halted the acceptance of applications for the program until an appropriation to fund guaranteed loans for the program was approved under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012. Applications for direct loans for the Conservation Loan Program are not being accepted at this time. Read the Federal Register notice or learn more.

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation announced revised loan rate ranges and base-quality ranges for upland cotton strength and length uniformity, and changes to the staple lengths for which distinct color and leaf loan rate differentials are provided. Effective with the loan schedule for 2012, the base quality range for strength is established at 26.0 – 28.9 grams per tex and length uniformity is at 80.0 – 81.9 percent. These new ranges are consistent with Agricultural Marketing Service’s price reporting and the objectives of the marketing assistance loan program. Learn more.

USDA will kick off a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program beginning March 12. The voluntary program allows agricultural producers the opportunity to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Those interested in participating will have four weeks from the start date to submit an application. In its 25 years, CRP has successfully protected the nation’s natural resources while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Learn more.

Slightly more than half of the U.S. milk supply last year was produced by only 2.9 percent of the nation’s dairy farms, according to a USDA report. Based on the report, 50.3 percent of the milk supply came from farms with 1,000 or more cows, while 34.6 percent came from farms with more than 2,000 cows. View the report or read more (Dairyherd Network). 

USDA introduced a new Conservation Reserve Program that will help preserve 1 million acres of grasslands and wetlands. “CRP is one of our nation’s most valuable and vital conservation efforts, ensuring cleaner air and water, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing economic opportunity in rural America by supporting recreation and tourism,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The program — administered by FSA — seeks to enroll 32 million acres of environmentally sensitive land through targeted sign-ups that benefit duck nesting habitat, upland birds, pollinators and wildlife. Learn more.