The National Pork Board warns the impact of a domestic outbreak of African swine fever could be catastrophic to U.S. pig farmers. Director of swine health Dr. Patrick Webb says a recent 10-year analysis estimates the pork and beef industries would lose nearly $80 million and the workforce could see job losses of 60,000 if ASF is discovered in the U.S. hog herd. “If we have a confirmed case of […]
Certified Angus Beef has launched a new product to meet evolving consumer demands. The organization has partnered with Niman Ranch to include grass-fed beef as part of its offering. John Stika is president of CAB. “We all want choices and I think today’s consumers, when it comes to beef, when it comes to the food they purchase, they want choices and they want probably more choices than we’ve ever offered […]
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2023 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar year 2022. USDA is sharing early information to allow producers time to gather documents in advance of program delivery.
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2023 – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP leverages a voluntary approach to conservation that expands the reach of conservation efforts and climate-smart agriculture through public-private partnerships.
A southwest Iowa farmer says he’s focusing on farm bill developments as planting season winds down. Ray Gaesser raises corn, soybeans, and cereal rye in Adams County. “First of all, crop insurance is probably one of the most important pieces for agriculture. We need to maintain that and have it as a viable option.” He tells Brownfield conservation investments are critical. “Trying to do the best we can to help […]
Change is nearing a tipping point in one of the nation’s largest asparagus-growing regions. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring tells Brownfield the asparagus industry is facing several complex challenges with no easy solutions. “Issues all the way from labor availability, the cost of labor today, ongoing supply chain issues, just international trade issues,” he says. “We as a state need to be working on how […]
A Wisconsin Farm Bureau official says the Legislature’s draft of the state budget funds many of their priorities. Jason Mugnaini says, “In terms of what we’ve been asking for, a lot was taken care of last night.” He tells Brownfield the Joint Finance Committee supported an additional $50,000 per year for Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Program, included $1.6 million for cover crop rebates, and maintained funding for producer-led watershed […]
There are concerns about corn and soybeans planted in mid-April that sat in the ground for as long as three weeks. BASF technical services rep Mark Storr tells Brownfield farmers in several states began planting around Easter but were stopped by cold and wet conditions. “When seeds lay in the soils that are cold, there’s no development and that’s why those seeds are at risk. The longer they lay out […]
The House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee has advanced a spending bill that proposes slashing USDA’s budget by nearly $9 billion. The bill would eliminating some climate-related funding, Those cuts would prevent Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s use of the Commodity Credit Corporation, which funds the $3 billion for the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program. It also expands work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from […]
