Former Sen. Tom Daschle to Speak During Ag Outlook Forum

Posted on January 15, 2013 by tanya brown

Former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle will take the podium next month as one of the guest speakers during the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The forum — held Feb. 21-22 in Arlington, Va. — will focus on the theme “Managing Risk in the 21st Century” and feature 25 sessions with more than 85 speakers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will present the keynote address, followed by Daschle and USDA Chief Economist Joseph Glauber. Early registration is open through Jan. 21. After that date, participants must register at the regular rate. Learn more or register today.

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Reminder: FSA Changes Way IRS 1099 Forms are Distributed

Posted on January 15, 2013 by tanya brown

Producers whose total reportable payments from the Farm Service Agency are less than $600 will not receive IRS Form 1099-G. Previously, the forms were issued to show all program payments received from FSA, regardless of the amount. Producers who receive payments from more than one county will receive one 1099-G form if the total of all payments from is $600 or more. The same changes apply to producers who normally receive IRS Form 1099-MISC.

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Commodity Credit Corporation Releases Lending Rates for January

Posted on January 15, 2013 by tanya brown

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for January 2013. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.125, which is unchanged from December 2012, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during January 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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Nominees Sought for USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Committee

Posted on January 15, 2013 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee. Members of the committee advise the Agriculture Secretary on matters affecting new farmers and ranchers and consider goals and objectives necessary to implement recommendations. Nomination forms are available online and must be submitted by Jan. 16. Learn more or access the nomination form.

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Scientist Collaborate on Ways to Stop Destructive Stink Bug

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tanya brown

Researchers are finding ways to stop the devastating forces of the brown marmorated stink bug. Listed as the top invasive insect of interest by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the stink bug has been detected in 38 states and caused nearly $37 million in economic losses to the apple industry in 2010. Scientists with the USDA Agricultural Research Service have partnered with several universities and research services to find ways to attract and trap the destructive pest. Methods include using a pheromone attractant to trap the bugs and classical biological control to reduce the population. Read more.

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Less Than a Week Left to Receive Ag Outlook Forum Early Registration Discount

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tanya brown

A little over a week remains for participants to receive the early registration discount for the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The forum — held Feb. 21-22 in Arlington, Va. — will feature 25 sessions with more than 85 speakers discussing issues related to risk management, food price and farm income, global crop insurance, conservation for water, soil and forests, and other topics. Early bird registration discount ends Jan. 21. After that date, participants must register at the regular rate. Learn more or register today.

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Farmland Prices Skyrocket as Industry Concerns Rise

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tanya brown

Investors are snatching up hundreds of acres of farmland, driving up prices and leaving industry professionals concerned about the effects this boom will have on agriculture. California farmland has seen a $300 increase since last year, with the average cost per acre around $7,200. In some areas, like Tulare County, farmland is fetching $13,000 to $16,000 an acre. Read more (Western Farm Press).

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USDA Names 597 Counties as Disaster Areas Due to Drought

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 597 counties in 14 states as primary natural disaster areas due to a history-making, ongoing drought. “As drought persists, USDA will continue to partner with producers to see them through longer-term recovery, while taking the swift actions needed to help farmers and ranchers prepare their land and operations for the upcoming planting season,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Each county has been in a severe drought for eight consecutive weeks, based on measurements by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Eligible producers in those areas are eligible for low-interest emergency loans through their local Farm Service Agency office. Learn more.

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Rural America: New Markets, New Understanding, Unlimited Opportunity

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tanya brown

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FSA Director of Civil Rights Retires After 33 Years

Posted on January 14, 2013 by tanya brown

Johnny Toles (left) will retire from FSA after more than 33 years of service. Toles began his tenure with the department as an assistant county supervisor with the Farmers Home Administration in Alabama, and rose to several leadership positions in USDA’s National Civil Rights office before joining FSA as the director of the Office of Civil Rights. FSA Administrator Juan Garcia recognized Toles during a retirement ceremony held Dec. 19.

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