Some key changes were made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the most recent COVID relief package. The relief bill includes $284 billion for another round of PPP loans. …
Industry Input Encouraged for Shifting Animal Biotech Oversight to USDA
The proposal to move some regulatory authority for animal biotech to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is receiving significant support. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has been the regulating …
CDFA Looking for Proposals for the Fertilizer Research and Education Program
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). Since it was first formed back in 1990, FREP has …
MSOB: Worms in Space, How Nematodes Might Help Space Exploration
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have recently sent beneficial nematodes on an interstellar expedition. With more and longer space travel in the foreseeable future, the project aimed to …
Budget Proposal Allows CDFA to Continue Important Programs
The latest budget proposal from Governor Gavin Newsom contains significant investment in valuable agricultural programs. A total of $227.2 billion is being proposed for the 2021-2022 budget. The California Department …
FCC Report Highlights Value of Broadband to Ag Productivity
A report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) details the impact that broadband internet has on agricultural production. In a paper titled “Impact of Broadband Penetration on U.S. Farm Productivity” …
Industry Groups Urge New Administration to Address Water Infrastructure
A large group of agricultural organizations and water districts are calling for more federal support to address water infrastructure. More than 200 organizations sent letters to President-elect Joe Biden and …
Ag Order 4.0 Hearings Raise Concern Over Complexity of Compliance
The recent Ag Order 4.0 hearings have raised a level of concern as the timeline for adoption quickly approaches. The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board went over proposals …
NRCS Outlines Conservation Priorities for California
Several conservation priorities have been outlined for accelerated funding in California. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California announced ten key areas to focus on. …
CCA Offers Approximate Breakdown of CFAP Payments for Livestock Producers
The latest COVID relief package includes some important provisions for livestock producers. One of the most significant aspects of the legislation is the additional funding for another round of the …
Natural Disaster Assistance Offered Through QLA Program
The signup period has opened for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program. Producers that have experienced certain crop quality losses because of natural disasters have until March 5 to apply …
Biostimulant Council Formed to Encourage Better Biostimulant Regulation
Industry groups are joining forces to form a Biostimulant Council to help advance development within the biostimulant sector. The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Biostimulant Coalition recently made a formal …
SGMA and Land Use Workshops Happening This Week
Two online workshops focused on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) are taking place later this week. The Zoom workshops will be offered in both English and Spanish. They are …
Webinar on Proposed Revisions to Rangeland Management Directives January 12
There is still an opportunity to learn more about the proposed revisions to the Rangeland Management Directives (RMD). Last month, the U.S. Forest Service released its proposed revisions to its …