The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for May 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from April 2011, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during April is 1.250, unchanged from last month. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Read more.

Muddy fields and a never-ending winter have farmers in the Midwest concerned that they may not get their corn and soybean crops planted in time. One agriculture economist said it is too early to worry, but farmers are sweating as their normal planting time is running two to three weeks behind schedule; however, history has shown that corn planted by mid May will be fine. Read more (Associated Press).

Programs to assist crop and livestock producers who have suffered damage due to flooding, wildfires and tornadoes are available through the Farm Service Agency. “We encourage all who have suffered a disaster due to the recent severe weather conditions to read the fact sheets and visit their local FSA county offices so they can get a quick start in the recovery process,” said Acting FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. Programs include the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. Learn more or view the fact sheets.

Rice growers produced 23.2 billion pounds of rice last year, breaking the overall crop-growing record. According to a report by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, growers surpassed the previous record of 23.2 billion pounds set in 2004. The U.S. has seen a series of broken records in recent years, including a record high production of corn and soybeans set in 2009. Review the report.  

Black plastic cylinders hanging from utility poles could soon be the norm in rural America. The tubes were distributed free to farmers in Illinois and contain detailed computer-generated maps of each farm, the precise locations for flammable chemicals and fuels, power turnoff switches, grain bins, water supplies and precious livestock. The tubes hang from utility poles and provide invaluable information to emergency responders during fires, explosions, and other farm emergencies. Read more (Associated Press).

A mix of wet and dry weather is delaying planting from the Midwest to the southern states, according USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

USDA got it right in its April 8 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates by changing the reporting category that identifies how corn is being used for ethanol. When the department first began reporting corn used for ethanol in 2004, gross corn bushels were lumped together as “ethanol for fuel,” giving the impression that every bushel of corn is used to produce ethanol. USDA reported that 5 billion bushels out of 12.5 bushels will be used by the ethanol industry, making it seem like 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop went to ethanol production. The new category, named “ethanol and byproducts” clarifies that one-third of every bushel used in the ethanol process returns to the animal feed market in the form of distillers grains, corn gluten feed or corn gluten meal. This reduces the use of U.S. corn for ethanol to 23 percent. Read more (Delta Farm Press).