U.S. Farm Production Expenditures Top $367 Billion in 2013; Farm Real Estate Values Increase

Posted on August 8, 2014 by tanya brown

U.S. farmers spent $367.3 billion on agricultural production in 2013, a 2 percent increase from 2012, according to the Farm Production Expenditures report, released this month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Per farm, the average expenditures total $175,270 compared with $171,309 in 2012, up 2.3 percent. Crop farms account for the majority of production expenditures in 2013. The average expenditure per crop farm totals $211,659 compared to $143,521 per livestock farm. Farm real estate also saw an increase. In 2014, U.S. farm real estate value averaged $2,950 per acre for 2014, up 8.1 percent from 2013. Regional changes in the average value of farm real estate ranged from a 16.3 percent increase in the Northern Plains region to 1.1 percent increase in the Southeast region. The highest farm real estate values were in the Corn Belt region at $6,370 per acre. The Mountain region had the lowest farm real estate value at $1,070 per acre. Read more.

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New Measures Announced to Enhance U.S.-Africa Trade

Posted on August 8, 2014 by tanya brown

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined President Obama, members of Congress and other U.S. government officials this week to welcome African heads of state and government leaders for the first ever African Leaders Summit. During the summit, Vilsack announced four new partners in the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative and up to $1 billion in export credit guarantees that will enhance trade between the U.S. and Africa. The export credit is a part of President Obama’s Doing Business in Africa Campaign. Launched in October 2013, GODAN supports efforts to make agriculturally and nutritionally relevant data available for public global use. Open data on agriculture, nutrition and food systems can be a powerful tool for long-term sustainable development by improving the economic opportunities for farmers and the health of all consumers. Read more.

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Deadline Extended for Enrollment in Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish

Posted on August 1, 2014 by tanya brown

The enrollment deadline for the 2012 and 2013 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) has been extended to Aug. 15. The new deadline gives producers who experienced losses because of disease, adverse weather, wildfires or colony collapse disorder between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2013, an additional two weeks to enroll in the program. Producers should contact their local FSA county office to enroll. Read more or find an FSA county office.

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Grant Available to Help Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

Posted on August 1, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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USDA Implements Key Farm Bill Crop Insurance Provision

Posted on August 1, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for August

Posted on August 1, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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U.S. Cattle Industry Down 3 Percent

Posted on August 1, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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One Week Remains to Submit County Committee Nomination Forms

Posted on July 25, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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$10 Billion Private Investment to Fund Jobs, Projects in Rural America

Posted on July 25, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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USDA Selects 36 Energy Facilities to Accept Biomass Deliveries

Posted on July 25, 2014 by tanya brown

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.

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