Farm Service Agency programs designed to help producers protect the environment and weather hard economic times have been around for some time and are still popular among farmers and ranchers; however, learning the best way to run these programs is a continuous process, according to Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess.
The USDA Risk Management Agency issued a proposed rule today that would reward good performance from farmers participating in the federal crop insurance program. Based on the proposed program, farmers and ranchers who have limited or no losses would receive a portion of their crop insurance premium back. The agency estimates the average refund to be $1,000 per producer for 2011. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by Jan. 21. Learn more or read the Federal Register notice.
Farm products, including grain, oilseed and feed, will bring higher prices this year, according to USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber. But farmers also will have to pay more for what it takes to produce these products. Despite the increase, a large swing in income is not expected. (USDA Radio Newsline). Listen to more.
For 45 years Jay Gould served local farmers and ranchers. Last month, the 71-year-old retired from the Decatur, Ind., Farm Service Agency, where he helped service more than 1,600 producers in the area. For Gould, it was part of his job, much like his military experience with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division that led him to help in major domestic and international events. (Dacatur Daily Democrat) Read more.
The Conservation Reserve Program, which has protected the nation’s natural resources since 1985, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In March 1986, the first CRP contract was signed, igniting a movement that has helped reduce soil erosion by 622 million tons, provided natural habitats for wildlife, restored more than 2 million acres of wetlands and removed millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the air. “Although it was designed to address soil erosion, CRP has become one of the standouts in the USDA arsenal of conservation programs by continuing to provide significant economic and environmental benefits beyond its original intent,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Learn more.
The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for January 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from December 2010, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during January 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.
Texas FSA state office employees sponsored six families from Snook, TX. Food, toys and clothing were donated to make the holidays better for these families.
The Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA) shared their holiday spirit by making Christmas special for six struggling families in Snook, a small, rural city in Texas.
Each year, the FSA holiday committee organizes a charitable activity in which state office employees can voluntarily participate. Last year employees donated toys and food to local organizations. This year the committee decided to sponsor six families and provide them with food and toys.
A report by USDA indicates an increase in no-till farming. In 2009, about 35.5 percent of cropland in the U.S. used to plant eight major crops — barley, corn, cotton, oats, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat — relied on the no-till method, according to the study. That indicates a steady 1.5 percent increase since 2000. No-till farming reduces the use and cost of machinery, fuel and labor, and helps prevent soil erosion and runoff. Review the report.
USDA is offering up to $20,000 for organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to implement resource conservation practices on their land. Farmers certified through USDA’s National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic production and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification due to limited gross annual organic sales are eligible to apply. Fiscal year 2011 is the third year for the USDA Organic Initiative. About $50 million is available this year to plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns. Producers must visit the local Natural Resources Conservation Service center in order to apply by the March 4 deadline. Learn more.
An emergency order lifting weight restrictions on trucks carrying crops threatened by the Florida freeze has been extended. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist originally lifted the order on Dec. 10 to help farmers harvest most of their crops before they were damaged by the freeze. Farmers are trying to pick citrus crops and get them to market before they hit the ground and can no longer be salvaged. The extension was granted through Dec. 31. (Bloomberg) Read more.
