Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $350 million has been designated to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands. The funding comes from the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which was designed in the 2014 Farm Bill to protect water resources and wildlife habitat, as well as to encourage owners to maintain land for farming and ranching. “The … Read More
Farm Foundation Hosts Forum About ESA
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been protecting mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians since it was signed into law in 1973. But for more than 40 years it has also frustrated landowners with its restrictions, especially when the benefits hardly seem to outweigh the regulations. Finding that balance has been a struggle. A recent success has given many hope for … Read More
St. Louis Fed: Farm Income, Land Values Down
A new report says farm incomes and land values continue their downward slide in the Midwest and Mid-South, and those trends are expected to continue. In its first quarter of 2015 survey, the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis blames the slump on declining grain prices worldwide. Bankers noted a continued decline in farm income compared with the same period … Read More
20 Best College Farms in America
Best College Reviews has published a ranking of the 20 Best College Farms in America. Best College Reviews is an editorially independent college review website focusing on college rankings, reviews of college features, and thought leadership on helping students find their place in the higher education landscape. I am excited to see a Missouri school on the list that is … Read More
Expect ‘Different Kind of Market’ for Farm Land
A leading expert in land, auction and agribusiness related transactions says 2015 is going to be a different kind of market for farmland. Murray Wise Associates, LLC says while falling commodity prices will play a role, there’s more at work there. “This year has been one of transition, with prices varying widely depending on land quality and location. The market … Read More
Ag, Interior Departments Measure Conservation Water Quality
The USDA and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a new partnership agreement that will provide a clearer picture of the benefits of farmers’ conservation practices on the quality of our Nation’s water. Working together, USDA’s NRCS and DOI’s USGS will quantify the benefits of voluntary agricultural practices at a watershed scale. This information will strengthen the effectiveness … Read More
Farm Bureau Wants EPA to Ditch Water Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Waters of the US” rule was published in the Federal Register last week – all 111,000 words of it. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) responded with just three words – “Ditch the Rule”. AFBF Public Policy Director Dale Moore says the “ditch” part comes from the fact that a reading of the rule indicates … Read More
Deadline Extended for Conservation Stewardship
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for fiscal year 2014. Producers interested in participating in the program can now submit applications to NRCS through Feb. 7, 2014. “Extending the enrollment deadline will make it possible for more farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to … Read More
Cover Crop Seed Growth
With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs. At the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago last week, Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA, enlightened attendees about what they are doing to develop … Read More
Looking Ahead to ASFMRA Agronomics Vision 2015
With the conclusion of the recent Agronomics Vision 2014 conference and American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers annual meeting in Reno, the group was already looking forward to next year. In the video below, President-Elect Fred Hepler of Cottonwood Management in Oklahoma talks about plans for next year’s conference in Tucson, AZ, October 27 – November 1, 2014. … Read More