Farmers have been given the thumbs-up to plant genetically engineered sugar beets, but they must follow mandatory requirement for growing the crop. According to a press release from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the plants pose no risk to the environment if grown under conditions outlined by the agency. The decision was made after conducting an environmental assessment, reviewing public comments and completing a plant pest risk assessment. A U.S. district judge ruled last August that the government agency had not considered the potential environmental impact of the beets and revoked USDA’s approval of the seeds. Read more. 

Domestic asparagus producers can now be compensated for losses resulting from imports during the 2004-07 crop years. According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, asparagus producers were financially affected by a substantial increase in asparagus imports, which resulted in lower domestic production and lower market share for U.S. producers. About $15 million has been allocated to the Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistance Payment Program. Eligible producers have until April 8 to sign up. Learn more.

The massive snow storm that covered half of the United States, producing two feet of snow in some parts of the Midwest and bringing a wintery mix of ice and snow in the Northeastern parts of the nation, could also cause serious harm to livestock.

With some pasture and forage areas destroyed with the remnants of what has been labeled “Snowmageddon,” many producers also are losing their animals to cold and hypothermia, and are seeking ways to help recuperate their losses.

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Several students from universities across the country have been selected to attend USDA’s 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The forum — held Feb. 24-25 in Arlington, Va. — will give 24 students the opportunity to hear leaders from across the world discuss the future of agriculture. Students were selected from Land-Grant, Hispanic Serving Institutions and American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources institutions. Finalists were selected based on their response to an essay on “Agriculture as a Career.” Learn more.

An updated version of the National Organic Program Handbook is now available. The latest handbook, released Jan. 31, includes policy memos that address public concerns regarding use of natural flavors, access to the outdoors for livestock, reporting health and safety violations as well as other topics. A new instruction document also is included and addresses disclosure of information concerning USDA accredited certifying agents and certified operations. The handbook aims to provide standard operating procedures and specific approaches to assist organic producers in implementing the mandates of the National Organic Program. Learn more or view the handbook online.

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for February 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from January 2011, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during February 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.

Sorghum producers will have a chance to vote on whether to continue or terminate the Sorghum Checkoff Program. USDA is conducting a mail-in ballot vote throughout the month of February to get producer input. The program was designed to strengthen the position of sorghum in the market place and expand uses in domestic and foreign markets. Read more (Wisconsin Ag News).

Some of the nation’s largest farm groups have formed a coalition to improve the image of farmers and counter negative publicity they say has led to bad public policies and stopped producers from adequately supplying food to the American public. Although they are still developing an action plan, spokeswoman Cindy Hackmann an advertising campaign was unlikely. Instead, the coalition will use social media to help consumers better understand how their food is produced. Read more (Associated Press).

Producers interested in offering land in an effort to protect millions of acres of topsoil from erosion and improve the nation’s natural resources, will be given the opportunity in March. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the next general sign-up for Conservation Reserve Program will open March 14 and continue through April 15. This is the second consecutive year that USDA has offered a general CRP sign-up. Those interested should consult their local Farm Service Agency county office. Learn more, view the fact sheet or locate an FSA county office.

Payments are now being issued for quota holders and producers in the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP). The program, which began in 2005, ends in 2014 and provides 10 equal annual payments to quota holders and producers. Quota holders also will now have the ability to enter into successor-in-interest contracts that allow the transfer of remaining TTPP payments in exchange for a lump-sum payment. This round of payments totals more than $950 million. In all, approximately $6.25 billion will have been paid by the end of the program. Learn more.