…ongoing federal initiatives, such as the Waters of the U.S. rule, would give the federal government almost unlimited power to dictate farming practices and impose complex and costly permitting schemes,…
First USDA Forecast Shows Normal Water Supply Forecast for Much of the West
…National Drought Resilience Partnership, launched as part of the President’s Climate Action Plan, federal agencies are working closely with states, tribes and local governments to develop a coordinated response to…
West Coast Port Slowdown and Ag Export Concerns
Federal mediation between some west coast port employers and workers may help resolve a long-standing labor dispute that is impacting exports. West Coast Port Slowdown and Ag Export Concerns…
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Makes Major Announcement Regarding Conservation Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 115 high-impact projects across all 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive more than $370 million in Federal funding as…
Port Slowdowns are Affecting Farm Shipments
…negotiations since May and have agreed to federal mediation to help resolve the dispute. Not all of the state’s agricultural exports have been affected by the port disruptions. Dairy exports…
Farm Bureau Delegates Set Public Policy Positions for 2015
…are derived from the federal government’s attempt to overreach in its regulation of land use. “This is particularly true with respect to improper application of federal water rules,” Stallman said….
Dairy Producers Enroll in New Margin Protection Program
…USDA conducted a lot of outreach to get the word out. When you compare the initial enrollment rate for the Margin Protection Program to the longstanding federal crop insurance program,…
Weekly Water and Climate Update
The National Water and Climate Center produces this weekly report in cooperation with the National Drought Mitigation Center and other Federal agencies. The report focuses on snowpack, precipitation, and temperature…
FAA Grants Real Estate, Agricultural UAS Exemptions
The Federal Aviation Administration today granted two regulatory exemptions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, including the first for real estate photography. The agency gave the exemptions to Douglas Trudeau…
No Actions in Early 2015 Under the Feedstock Flexibility Program
…2015. CCC is required to announce quarterly estimates of sugar to be purchased for the Feedstock Flexibility Program based on crop and consumption forecasts. Federal law allows sugar processors to…
New Members Appointed to National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
…17-member NACMPI meets on food safety concerns and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting federal and state inspection program activities. It also contributes to USDA’s regulatory policy development….
Census of Horticulture Arriving in Mailboxes this Winter
…industry.” Producers can fill out the Census online via a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov, or return their form by mail. Federal law (Title 7, U.S. Code) requires all producers who receive…
More Protection for Specialty Crops
More protection is available for crops that traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop insurance. More Protection for Specialty Crops The new options under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance program…
USDA Improves Forest Health by Harvesting Biomass for Energy
2014 Farm Bill Program Generates Renewable Energy, Helps Reduce Forest Fire Threats Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 200,000 tons of biomass were removed from federal lands…