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 …
Vilsack Discusses 2017 Budget for USDA
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a national media Tuesday call to discuss the Obama administration’s 2017 budget request for USDA programs. “Over the past seven years, USDA has made strides in improving the health of our nation’s children, enrolled a record number of privately-owned acres in conservation programs, bolstered the economies and infrastructure of small rural towns, and more,” said …
USDA Pledges $9M Towards Wetlands
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
Deputy Secretary Harden to Leave USDA
USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced plans to depart the agency at the end of next month. “Today is bittersweet for me as I announce my decision to step down as Deputy Secretary at the end of February,” said Harden in a statement. “I am proud of what our Department has accomplished since 2009 to bring economic opportunity that …
Bio-Oil Produced Right on the Farm
Soon farmers will be able to produce bio-oil right on their farm. The renewable fuel can be produced from agricultural and food waste using a new mobile unit. The goal of USDA project is to be able to distill this bio-oil in existing petroleum refineries. The research team, headed by Agricultural Research Services (ARS) chemical engineer Akwasi Boateng with the …
Chile & Peru Slated for Stops on USDA Trade Mission
Two South American countries have been slated for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission. This news release from the agency says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission March 14-18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture in Chile and Peru. “Thanks to existing free trade agreements, the United States enjoys strong trading relationships with both …
Vilsack: Farmer Greatest Job on Earth
Being a farmer is the greatest job on earth noted USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. He spent the morning back in his home state of Iowa (Vilsack is a former Iowa Governor) to kick off the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. He kicked off his speech noting that he is proud of the work the USDA has done to help …