The Department of Agriculture is improving two of its most comprehensive risk management safety net programs. USDA announced the improvements for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm, making them more accessible to farmers. The improvements include doubling the maximum insurable revenue under Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, now $17 million, more than tripling the size of…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
USDA Releases Updated Trade Projections
The Department of Agriculture just updated trade projections for the remainder of fiscal year 2022 and the first projections for fiscal year 2023. The outlook follows the federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. Agriculture exports for 2023 are projected at $193.5 billion, with imports at $197 billion. The…… MORE
Cal Farmworker Drought Bill Passes Senate
State Senator Melissa Hurtado’s bill SB 1066, the Farmworker’s Drought Resilience Pilot Project, passes the Senate Floor and is now headed to the Governor. In a news release Senator Hurtado says “as California continues to struggle through another year of drought, many farms and farmworkers are being hurt in ways we have not seen before.”…… MORE
Corn Growers Think New Cal Vehicle Requirements Miss Opportunity
The California Air Resources Board recently approved standards for vehicles made in the model year 2026 and later. In response to the announcement, the National Corn Growers Association says California regulators “missed an opportunity” to allow for more innovation and broaden low- and zero-emission solutions, in addition to the proposed electric vehicles, to maximize emission…… MORE
Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Zone
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announces that a portion of San Diego County has been placed under quarantine for the Mexican fruit fly following the detection of six flies and one larva in and around the unincorporated area of Valley Center. The United States Department of Agriculture, the San Diego County Agricultural…… MORE
Fruits & Vegetables Top Local Foods Purchased by Schools
Many U.S. school districts purchase local foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins for campus cafeterias. In addition to buying locally produced foods, many school districts participate in other farm to school activities, such as product-specific promotions, taste tests of local foods, onsite edible gardens, and field trips to farms. Approximately two-thirds of U.S.…… MORE
Farmland Prices & Equipment Sales Decline
Farmland prices and farm equipment sales declined in the August Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index. The overall index fell for the fifth straight month, for August slumped to 44.0 from 46.0 in July. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. The region’s farmland price index for August…… MORE
Additional USDA Disaster Assistance
The USDA announced another phase of assistance will be available to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. Over 18,000 producers will soon be mailed new or updated pre-filled disaster applications to offset eligible crop losses. About $6.4 billion has already reached 165,000 producers through the Farm Service Agency’s…… MORE
Taco Bell Ventures Into Plant-Based Meat Market
Taco Bell is getting into the plant-based meat market. The company says it’s testing a product in the market around Birmingham, Alabama. The Wall Street Journal says the company has been working on the soy and pea-based product for three years. It’s debuting in a Crispy Melt Taco that’s made with a white corn shell…… MORE
Cattle Industry Convention Offers Help To Attend
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is offering a variety of scholarships and grants to help producers attend CattleCon23, February 1-3, 2023, in New Orleans. NCBA President Don Schiefelbein says, “These scholarships are perfect for youth, first-timers and others looking to expand their network at the largest event in the beef cattle business.” Scholarship recipients receive…… MORE
