Strongest farm outlook in years, say ag bankers Farm income and land values surged in the closing months of 2020, lifted by higher commodity prices and large federal payments, according to farm lenders across the Midwest and Plains. With the commodity rally expected to persist, the farm economy was in… Continue reading
Need a quick catch up on the news? Here’s some agricultural news you might have missed this week. 1. Agriculture accounted for 9.9% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, according to an analysis from the Environmental Protection Agency. Emissions increased from 2017 to 2018 by 3.1%. – Farm… Continue reading
Farm labor a priority in House for immigration reform Immigration reform, including legal status for farmworkers, is vital for assuring U.S. economic strength, said chairman Jerry Nadler of the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Congress has deadlocked repeatedly over immigration, whether comprehensive legislation or piecemeal reforms, but President Biden, on… Continue reading
Multibillion-dollar debt relief for minority farmers is backed by House committee The House Agriculture Committee approved a landmark $4 billion program of debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers on Wednesday despite Republican objections that the aid was an unconstitutional form of reverse discrimination. Chairman David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, said… Continue reading
House panel to vote on SNAP extension and minority farmer debt relief Following President Biden’s lead, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee proposed an extension until Sept. 30 of the temporary 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits on Tuesday. Chairman David Scott also included a sweeping proposal for the… Continue reading
House Ag panel will start with climate change With the resolution of a disputed election in New York State, the House Agriculture Committee is ready for action with climate change as its top issue. “Everything will tie into climate change,” says the committee chief of staff and the first hearing… Continue reading
USDA predicts robust farm income in 2021, aided by market rally U.S. farm income will be a strong $111.4 billion this year, 20 percent above the 10-year average, thanks to a recovery in crop and livestock revenue and larger than usual federal payments, said the USDA. Higher market prices, particularly… Continue reading
Missed some Ag News this week? Here are seven stories to catch you up. (Farm Progress) 1. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s nomination to lead the agriculture department again on Groundhog Day. Vilsack, 70, served as Agriculture Secretary for eight years in the Obama administration…. Continue reading
USDA seeks ways to ‘de-risk’ climate mitigation, says Bonnie Farmers face significant expenses in adopting climate mitigation practices, and the Biden administration is pondering how to “de-risk those investments,” possibly through a so-called carbon bank, said USDA climate adviser Robert Bonnie on Thursday. “Can we look at some new authorities… Continue reading
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