Grant applications are being accepted from eligible applicants to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches. The grant will assist community-based organizations, higher education institutions and tribal entities in providing outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 25. Learn more.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week announced continued progress in implementing provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill that will strengthen and expand insurance coverage options for farmers and ranchers. The new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), available through the federal crop insurance program and set to begin with the 2015 crop year, is designed to help protect producers from yield and market volatility. SCO will be available for corn, cotton, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, spring barley, spring wheat, and winter wheat in selected counties for the 2015 crop year. Producers should contact their crop insurance agents to discuss eligibility in time to sign up for winter wheat coverage. SCO is a county-level policy endorsement that is in addition to an underlying crop insurance policy, and covers a portion of losses not covered by the same crop’s underlying policy. Producers who elect to participate in Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), which is offered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), are not eligible for SCO for the crop and farm participating in ARC. Learn more.
The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for August 2014. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from June 2014, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during August is 1.125, 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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recorded the lowest number of cattle on U.S. farms since 1973. In a report issued this week, only 95.0 million head of cattle were reported to be on U.S. farms as of July 1. This is the lowest inventory for July 1 since the report series began in 1973. Other key findings in the report show the 2014 calf crop is expected to be 33.6 million while tighter cattle supplies and historic cattle prices, all cattle on feed decreased to 11.6 million, down 6 percent from 2012. Read more.
Only one week remains for farmers and ranchers to select themselves or others as candidates to sit on local FSA county committees and help make important agricultural decisions. Nominations must be submitted by next Friday, Aug. 1. Members of the committee deliver FSA farm programs at the local level and make decisions needed to administer the programs in their counties. Those who would like to submit a nomination may download forms online (in English or Spanish) or visit their local FSA county office. Learn more and listen to county committee members urging producers to run for office.
The White House Rural Council announced the creation of the new U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund that allows private entities to invest in job-creating rural infrastructure projects across the country. An initial $10 billion has been committed to the fund with greater investment expected to follow. Target investments will include hospitals, schools and other educational facilities, rural water and wastewater systems, energy projects, broadband expansion, local and regional food systems, and other rural infrastructure. The creation of the new fund was announced during the first-ever White House Rural Opportunity Investment Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference brought together business and financial community leaders, Administration and other government officials, rural development experts, and others to promote investment opportunities in America’s rural communities. Read more.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected 36 energy facilities in 14 states to accept biomass deliveries supported by the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Farmers, ranchers or foresters who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a BCAP-qualified energy facility may be eligible for financial assistance for deliveries. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers BCAP, will begin accepting applications from biomass owners from July 28 through Aug. 25. Learn more.
Farmers are reminded that they must have a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026) on file at their local Farm Service Agency office in order to receive support on their premium payments for federal crop insurance. Producers who have not filed an AD-1026 form must do so by June 1, 2015. When a farmer completes the AD-1026, FSA and NRCS staff will outline any additional actions that may be required for compliance with the provisions. The Risk Management Agency, through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), manages the federal crop insurance program that provides the modern farm safety net for American farmers and ranchers. Learn more.
Producers who did not have access to crop insurance yet suffered losses to bush or tree fruit crops due to frost or freeze during the 2012 crop year may be eligible for assistance. The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provides supplemental payment to producers who were affected by weather damage or other adverse natural occurrences. Enrollment in the program opened July 22 and continues through Sept. 22. Producer must contact their local FSA county office to find if they are eligible to apply. Learn more or locate your FSA county office.
Agricultural researchers have found a new way to blast weeds without using pesticides. The Propelled Abrasive Grit Management (PAGMan) system — designed by USDA Agronomist Frank Forcella along with university researchers — is a tractor-mounted system that uses compressed air to blast particles of grit that shred weeds. The grit is made up of dried corn cobs. Further trials may confirm the system’s potential to help organic growers manage within-row infestations of weeds that have sprouted around the bases of corn, soybeans and other row crops. Learn more.
