The 2016 Prospective Plantings report out today from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) shows farmers expect to plant more corn and less soybeans this year. U.S. corn growers expect to plant 93.6 million acres to corn this year, the first increase in corn planted acreage since 2012 and, if realized, will be the third largest corn acreage since 1944. …
USDA Encourages Small, Healthy Changes in March
The USDA has launched a challenge in honor of National Nutrition Month. The MyPlate, My Wins Challenge encourages people to make a small, simple change towards a healthier lifestyle. Teams or groups can join the challenge online and pledge to consume two foods from each of the My Plate food groups a day and be active twice a day for two …
Former USDA Deputy Joins DuPont
The mystery about why Krysta Harden resigned as USDA Deputy Secretary was revealed last week as Commodity Classic was getting underway in New Orleans. Harden has joined DuPont as vice president of Public Policy & Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), succeeding Linda Fisher who elected to retire last month. Harden will have responsibility for leading the company’s public policy and government …
NFU Convention Includes Address from Vilsack
National Farmers Union (NFU) member, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, addressed the 114th Anniversary Convention this week. He spoke about the uniqueness of American agriculture, asked Congress to act on the food labeling bill and encouraged increased trade with Cuba. “It is important to focus, not just solely on large-scale production agriculture, but it is important to continue to focus on diversifying opportunities …
Vilsack Makes 7th Appearance at #Classic16
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appeared at every Commodity Classic since he was confirmed, making this year the seventh time he has addressed corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat farmers. “Farmers are the linchpin of this country. They are the heart and soul,” said Vilsack, who concentrated much of his remarks on the importance of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) for …
Vilsack Makes 7th Appearance at Commodity Classic
The 2016 Commodity Classic will play host to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. In his seventh visit to the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show the secretary will give the keynote address during the General Session on Friday, March 4th. “Secretary Vilsack continues to be a strong voice for farmers and ranchers, and we are jazzed …
USDA Secretary at #Ethanol Conference
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the National Ethanol Conference this week for the last time in the position he has held under President Obama for both terms. During his appearance, Vilsack announced some good news for the ethanol industry – new research showing significant improvement in ethanol production efficiency. According to the study, between 1991 and 2010, direct energy use …
USDA Designates $58.25 Million for Plant Pests, Disease
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be designating $58.25 million from the 2014 farm bill to fund 434 projects that will help protect U.S. crops from plant pests and diseases. “Through the Farm Bill we are working with our partners and stakeholders to not only ensure the global competitiveness of our specialty crop producers but to …
Crop Insurance Takes Hit in Budget Proposal
The Obama administration’s 2017 budget proposal includes reforms to the crop insurance program that would end up costing farmers more. Two specific changes are proposed – one would reduce subsidies for revenue insurance policies that insure the price at the time of harvest and the second would reform prevented planting coverage, including removing optional buy-up coverage. According to USDA, the …
USDA Awards $20 Million for Citrus Research
The citrus greening crisis in Florida and across the U.S. is receiving $20.1 million dollars to bring growers closer to a solution. The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants to university researchers and extension projects working to fight Huanglongbing (HLB) or greening disease. “Citrus greening has affected more than 75 percent of Florida citrus crops …