Month: February 2024

‘We need an AG safety net that works’ Pointing to forecasts of a second year in a row of falling farm income, Republican senators called for more money for farm subsidies on Wednesday. “We’ve got to get it right for production agriculture” in the new farm bill, said North Dakota’s… Continue reading

Stabenow would delay farm bill to 2025 to prevent SNAP and climate cuts Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow said she would delay the new farm bill, already five months overdue, to 2025 rather than accept cuts — sought by Republicans— in SNAP and climate funds. “Tell you what: If we… Continue reading

Equity Commission recommends ‘sweeping and generational change’ at USDA The Agriculture Department, whose programs range from crop subsidies to public nutrition, would reform its operations to assure fair treatment of everyone under the recommendations of an administration-appointed commission, delivered in a final report on Thursday. Co-chair Ertharin Cousin said the… Continue reading

Ethanol for aviation will get tax credits, Vilsack assures industry Ethanol will be included when the Biden administration spells out eligibility for lucrative tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the incentives will reflect the impact of climate-smart farming practices, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told ethanol makers on Tuesday…. Continue reading

Brazil to surpass U.S. as cotton exporter in ‘very near future’ Already the world’s leading soybean and corn supplier, Brazil is on track to overtake the United States and become the largest cotton exporter in the very near future,” said the National Cotton Council, an umbrella organization for the U.S…. Continue reading

As we reflect on American history and the impact of agriculture, we remember the many leaders who recognized the importance of the industry and the farm families who make up our great nation. Words from our former leaders (source: Farm Policy Facts): “Our farmers deserve praise, not condemnation; and their… Continue reading

Big crops and lower prices for U.S. farmers in 2024 American farmers will harvest monster corn and soybean crops this year, including the largest soybean crop ever, at 4.5 billion bushels, and the third corn crop in four years to top 15 billion bushels, projected the Agriculture Department on Thursday…. Continue reading

Lawmakers spar over farm economy During a sometimes prickly House hearing on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged lawmakers to buckle down and write a farm bill that does not cut SNAP or climate funds. Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee said the Biden administration has overlooked the needs of… Continue reading

Smallest number of U.S. farms since 1850, says ag census The United States, one of the agricultural powers of the world, has the smallest number of farms — 1.9 million — since 1850, when there were only 31 states and four territories, said the USDA Census of Agriculture on Tuesday…. Continue reading

Crop insurance costs to leap by 29 percent The federally subsidized crop insurance program will cost an additional $27.7 billion over the coming decade, said the Congressional Budget Office in projections released on Monday. The government pays roughly 62 cents of each $1 in premiums, and sales of livestock and… Continue reading