The number of milk cow operations declined in 2009, according to a report released today by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Milk cow operations totaled 65,000 last year, down three percent from 2008. The report, which highlights farms, land in farms and livestock operations, estimated the number of farms in the United States to be 2.2 million, which is unchanged from 2008. Review the report.
USDA is seeking comments on its new Biomass Crop Assistance Program designed to expand the use of dedicated non-food crops for renewable energy and biofuel production. According to a Federal Register notice, BCAP will assist agricultural and forest land owners and operators with the establishment and production of eligible crops in selected project areas for conversion to bioenergy and the collection, harvest, storage and transportation of eligible material for use in a biomass conversion facility. Comments must be submitted by April 9. Read the Federal Register notice or submit comments.
Net farm income is projected to rise 11.8 percent this year to $63 billion, after a severe drop in 2009, according to a report by USDA. As the U.S. recovers from the recession, economic conditions are expected to improve but net farm income would still remain below the $87.1 billion seen in 2008. (Wall Street Journal) Read the article or review the report.
Farmers and ranchers spent $2.1 billion on expenses related to irrigation equipment, facilities, land improvements and computer technology, according to the 2008 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. The survey, released today by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, showed that farmers and ranchers are changing their methods and irrigating more land than they did five years ago. Producers irrigated 54.9 million acres of farmland in the United States in 2008 compared to 52.5 acres in 2003. Review the report.
Increased cropland availability due to a reduction in the Conservation Reserve Program, along with sustained high commodity prices are expected over the next 10 years, according to a USDA long-term agricultural projection report released today. The report also estimates that corn will remain the primary feedstock for U.S. ethanol production but annual growth for corn-based ethanol will be slow. Meanwhile, biodiesel production is expected to increase to one billion gallons by 2012. Read the report.
For nine years Thelma “Toke” Heiman helped give Finney County, Kan., farmers and ranchers a voice in how federal actions affect local communities and individual operations while serving on the Farm Service Agency Finney County Committee. Heiman was recognized by FSA representatives for serving the maximum number of years on the committee and for her dedication and commitment. (The Garden City Telegram) Learn more.
USDA scientists along with researchers at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute have sequenced the genome of Brachypodium distachyon, a wild grass that will help reveal the genetics of other grass and wheat varieties for use as biofuel crops. The research, published in the journal Nature, could support USDA’s effort to develop new sources of clean energy. (ScienceDaily) Read more.
Attendees of the National Association of Conservation Districts 64th Annual Meeting were encouraged to be a part of the dialogue about climate change and stay alert on efforts to address global warming during a welcome address by Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla.
“As I tell our farmers, this conversation about carbon is not limited to the halls of Congress,” said Putnam, adding that retailers have been asking about how carbon footprints impact their products and how retailers like Wal-Mart can have a huge impact on producers through its policies.
Demand for corn to make ethanol is expected to increase by 17 percent, according to a report by USDA. Ethanol producers are estimated to use 4.3 billion bushels of corn this year, which is down from last month’s estimate of 4.2 billion and last year’s total of 3.677 billion. (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Learn more.
Orange production is down three percent from Jan. 1, according to a report released today by the National Agriculture Statistics Service. Florida orange totals are down four percent from last month’s report and 21 percent lower from numbers reported for the same time last year. Based on the report, a damage survey was conducted in late January due to sub-freezing temperatures experienced in Florida early last month. Additional assessments will be made through mid-March. Read the report.
