Record subsidies but weaker ag sector during pandemic year Farmers faced higher expenses and earned less money from their crops and livestock than initially expected in 2020, due to market disruptions caused by the pandemic, said a USDA Covid-19 working paper. By many standards, such as debt-to-asset ratio, the financial… Continue reading

Report urges ‘radical systemic’ change in U.S. food and nutrition policy With the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health weeks away, a broad group of advocates, academics and experts on Tuesday called for “radical systemic changes” in order to address food insecurity, diet-related disease and health inequities. USDA… Continue reading

Finally, USDA organic transition package includes crop insurance subsidies The Agriculture Department will spend $300 million to help farmers transition to organic production and on “pinpointed” market development projects, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday. It would be the single largest investment ever in organic agriculture by the USDA… Continue reading

Fewer hog farms, but far more hogs per farm In the space of a generation, U.S. hog production has transformed, even if the Midwest, with Iowa foremost, is still the leader, said a new USDA report. There were half as many hog farms in the country in 2017 as there… Continue reading

Catch up on the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on ag, SCN resistance, record FFA membership numbers, and more! Did you miss some agricultural news this week? No need to worry. Here’s a roundup of the top headlines in agriculture from around the country. IRA: Impact on farm conservation programs President… Continue reading

Despite stricter rules, thousands of complaints of dicamba damage, says EPA A week before the 2020 presidential election, the EPA issued new instructions on the use of dicamba that it said would tame the notoriously volatile weedkiller. But complaints of damage to crops in nearby fields and to plants in… Continue reading

Rebound seen in wheat and corn exports from Ukraine Russia will set a record for wheat exports during the current marketing year while Ukraine rebuilds its grain shipments, aided by the recent international agreement to end a blockade of its Black Sea ports, said USDA analysts. Bayer, the world’s largest… Continue reading

U.S. prods Colorado River Basin states for water conservation agreement With Colorado River Basin states in disarray, the government said on Tuesday it would work with the seven states for an agreement on huge reductions in water usage from the river. In the interim, the Interior Department said it would… Continue reading

Biogas incentives favor factory farms, critics say Manure digesters are among the best-known ways for feedlots and dairy farms to capture greenhouse gas emissions and, in some cases, sell biomethane as a fuel. The climate, healthcare, and tax law signed this week by President Biden offers a new incentive to… Continue reading