The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to purchase millions of pounds of surplus cheese to aid both hungry families and dairy producers. The purchase of approximately 11 million pounds of cheese, valued at $20 million, will assist food banks and pantries across the nation, while reducing a cheese surplus that is at its highest level in 30 years. …
USDA Invests in New #Farmers
During a visit to Iowa State University this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced some new initiatives to help new and beginning farmers. First, Vilsack announced a new investment of $17.8 million for 37 projects to help educate, mentor, and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). In addition, …
Record #Corn and #Soybean Crop Forecast
USDA’s first crop production forecast based on actual field data is predicting some bin-busting crops this year. Corn production is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up 11 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 175.1 bushels per acre, up 6.7 bushels from 2015. If realized, this will be the highest yield …
Farm Bureau Seeks Emergency Dairy Aid from USDA
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has asked the USDA to provide emergency assistance for the nation’s dairy farmers. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said AFBF supported a recent request from 61 members of Congress asking USDA to provide emergency assistance. Duvall noted the U.S. all-milk price fell to $14.50 per hundredweight in …
#GMO Disclosure Bill Signed Into Law
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is now in charge of developing a national mandatory system for disclosing the presence of bioengineered material under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, which was signed without fanfare on Friday by President Obama. USDA has formed a working group to develop a timeline for rulemaking and to “ensure an open and transparent process for …
NRCS Talks Changes at #AgMedia 2016
The USDA National Resources Conservation Program (NRCS) took the opportunity to get the word out about the latest in the program services at the recent Ag Media Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. Jamie Johansen had the opportunity to speak with Mark Rose, Director of NRCS, about the upcoming changes for fiscal year 2017. Rose told AgWired the Conservation Stewardship program …
Biodegradable & Renewable Lubricants by BioBlend
One of the great aspects of the United Soybean Board’s Biobased Stakeholders Dialogue that took place at USDA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. is showcasing the up-and-coming biobased technologies. One of the exhibitors at the event was BioBlend and to learn more about their products, Cindy Zimmerman spoke with Bill Smith. The company makes biodegradable and renewable lubricants. The company, founded …
2016 Wallace-Carver Fellows Announced
Thirty seven students from across the country have been confirmed for the prestigious Wallace-Carver Fellowship. The fellowship, made possible with the support of The World Food Prize Foundation and The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offers exceptional college students the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned scientists and policymakers through paid summer internships at leading USDA research centers and offices across …
BioSynthetics Perfecting Soy-based Petro Alternative
BioSynthetics Technologies was a featured company during the 2016 Biobased Stakeholders Dialogue that recently took place at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The company is a USDA transfer partner and during the event spoke about their soy-based motor oil. To learn more, Cindy Zimmerman spoke with Greg Blake who is the company’s director of strategic development. Blake explained that USDA …
#Biobased2016 Helps Build Demand for #Soybeans
Lewis Bainbridge is a farmer from South Dakota who serves on the United Soybean Board and is one of the stars of a new video touting the benefits of biobased products for the nation – Red, White and Biobased. “That video is a neat tie-in to show different partnerships,” he told me during the Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue this week in …