A new report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation finds U.S. farmers have the potential to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and become part of the global solution to climate change. U.S. agriculture contributes about 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of the entire national economy, but farmers could greatly reduce those emissions if they were provided with the …
USDA Expands CRP and Funds Rural Infrastructure
As President Biden opened a two-day virtual climate summit on Earth Day, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed the role USDA and agriculture will play in the administration goal calling for U.S. emissions to be 50% to 52% lower in 2030 compared to 2005. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) …
USDA Releases First 2021 Crop Progress Report
#Plant21 season is officially underway now with the start of USDA’s weekly Crop Progress reports. Planting has begun for barley, corn, cotton, oats, rice, sorghum, spring wheat, and sugarbeets, according to the first Crop Progress report issued for the 2021 planting season by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). By this time last year, 2% of the …
USDA Report Reveals Planting Intentions
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Prospective Plantings report released this week reveals producers intend to plant an estimated 91.1 million acres of corn in 2021, up less than 1% from last year, and 87.6 million acres of soybeans, up 5% from last year. Planted acreage intentions for corn are up or unchanged in 24 of the 48 estimating states. …
USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Producers
USDA has unveiled a new initiative for farmers, ranchers and biofuels producers impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions – Pandemic Assistance for Producers (PAP). USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and …
National Agriculture Day 2021
President Joe Biden has proclaimed today, March 23, as National Ag Day, the fifth year that The White House has publicly recognized National Ag Day as a salute to the contributions of America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. The proclamation highlights how American agriculture has stepped up over the past year to ensure a safe and abundant food supply and highlights …
Vilsack Kicks Off Agri-Pulse Summit
The virtual 2021 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit kicked off the first of three half-day sessions Monday morning with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The topic this year is “Climate Risks, Rewards and Uncertainties.” Vilsack stressed the importance of markets for agriculture. “At the end of the day, that is really the job of USDA, creating opportunities for …
Vilsack Speaks at 2021 Commodity Classic
The 2021 Commodity Classic Special Edition ended today with a closing general session featuring U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Moderating was National Association of Farm Broadcasting president Gale Cunningham, WYXY, who posed questions to the Secretary after his opening remarks. Secretary Vilsack addressed a number of topics, including COVID relief, trade with China, renewable fuels, and conservation and carbon …
Ag Secretary Vilsack Addresses NFU
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack started his first full week of work Monday addressing the National Farmers Union’s virtual convention, the first of many appearances he will likely be making to agricultural organizations. As secretary under the Obama Administration for eight years, Vilsack made an effort to attend as many agriculture and biofuel related events as possible each year. NFU …
Secretary Vilsack Back at USDA
Former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack became current secretary under the Biden Administration this week, returning to the job he held for eight years under President Obama. Secretary Vilsack was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, sworn in virtually by Vice President Harris on Wednesday, and held his first press call with reporters Thursday morning. The first issue Vilsack addressed …