U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Biden administration is out with the fiscal year 2022 budget proposal, calling for more money within USDA to support climate research and racial injustice.
A federal judge announced Friday a decision to halt payments in a USDA loan forgiveness program designed to help farmers of color. USDA has until Friday to respond to the court’s temporary restraining order.
Just before leaving for the G-20 Summit in Italy this week, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack told leaders from around the globe that agriculture will lead the way in creating climate solutions.
“I like to say you’re going to have to have a permit to do normal farming decisions,” he told Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk.
The Department of Justice filed court documents Friday in defense of USDA’s plan to forgive debt for socially disadvantaged farmers. The filing is in response to a Judge’s recent ruling to halt the payments.
The plan requires conserving 440 million acres.
USDA’s first look at new crop in the May WASDE indicated higher crop prices could start to erode demand. However, USDA points out greater domestic use could help offset the idea of lower exports.
As soybean supply concerns continue to impact the market, USDA’s fresh look at 2020/2021 ending stocks in the May WASDE report paints a scenario where soybean supplies will remain extremely tight.
The plan is now called “America the Beautiful,” and is a 10 year, locally-led and voluntary nationwide effort to conserve, connect and restore 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by the year 2030.
Ryan Yates, managing director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), says while the plan sounds simple, there are still a lot more questions than answers regarding what the plan truly means.
USDA will open CRP enrollment with higher payment rates, new incentives and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation.
President Biden continues to affirm the administration’s focus on climate. A key USDA nomination this week showcased just how important of a role agriculture will play when it comes to the environment.
Details of a U.S. land and water related executive order could be unveiled soon. Known as the ’30 by 30’ plan, it would place 30% of U.S. lands and 30% of U.S. waters under federal jurisdiction by 2030.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s statistics division is conducting a “deep dive” review of how it conducts its quarterly U.S. grain stocks reports, an official said during an online conference on Wednesday.
The western half of the country continues to see little moisture, and after a year of record government payments to agriculture, farm groups fear financial assistance this year will be tough to get passed in Washington.
A week after USDA released its bombshell Prospective Plantings report, USDA’s April WASDE also sparked some market momentum in corn, but seemed to disappoint for soybeans.
USDA’s Prospective Plantings report released Wednesday showed farmers intend to plant more acres overall, but fewer than what the trade expected. Here’s a breakdown of which states are seeing a shift in 2021 acres.
USDA will move forward with $20 per acre payments for price-trigger crops outlined in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) round three with checks going out starting in April.
For a fifth year, the White House is publicly recognizing March 23, 2021, as National Ag Day. As part of the proclamation, the White House salutes farmers and ranchers for the contributions they continue to make.
Some agriculture companies think agriculture could be the solution in major corporations working to become carbon neutral. Sustainable practices may also be a focus for a new Adminstration with a possible policy shift.
In his opening days of his second stint as head of USDA, Tom Vilsack is focused on farmer profitability and opening markets to build that profitability.
USDA is still reviewing how it will disburse $15 billion in coronavirus aid.
As NCGA sets priorities for the upcoming year during virtual Commodity Classic this week, it’s clear climate will be at the top of the list. NCGA CEO says climate will be the group’s biggest opportunity and challenge.
USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum painted a brighter forecast for corn demand this year. While USDA does expect a 7% increase in production, the agency is also forecasting an increase in domestic use, as well as exports.
The Senate has scheduled a vote on Tom Vilsack’s nomination for Secretary of Agriculture on Feb. 23. In early February, the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously approved President Biden’s pick to lead USDA.
Ag groups are gearing up for a new fight over the so-called ‘Death Tax.”
The net farm income story this year is far from over. Farmer Mac’s chief economist says history shows USDA’s initial look at net farm income is typically too low and this year may be no different.
As Congress continues to work on another COVID relief bill, a group of Democratic Senators this week introduced an amendment that would provide $5 billion in aid to farmers of color.
As the substantial demand looks to be rooted in a need for feed and food, corn purchases from China may not be over yet and could be on track to hit a new record. However, actual shipments are lagging.
The corn price momentum quickly faded on Tuesday as traders seemed disappointed by conservative adjustments to its corn import forecast for China.