Farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners can now do business with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a new Conservation Client Gateway announced today. NRCS chief Jason Weller says the portal will allow producers will have the ability to work with conservation planners online to access Farm Bill programs, request assistance and track payments for … Read More
USDA Debuts ‘Hope in Healthy Soil’ Ad
A new 90-second ad on YouTube looks to bring new respect and admiration for the soil beneath our feet. As part of its “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” campaign, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a new, 90-second public service announcement that encapsulates “The hope in healthy soil.” According to Ron Nichols, the campaign’s communications coordinator, the … Read More
Conservation Compliance Deadline June 1
Farmers are being reminded the deadline is near to certify their conservation compliance. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the new Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA Service Center by June 1, 2015, in order to remain eligible or to … Read More
Corn Planting Almost Done, Long Summer Ahead
Corn planting is almost done, well ahead of schedule, but there’s a long summer ahead for farmers. This news release from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says planting progress advanced 10 more points since the previous week to a total of 85 percent planted, but NCGA offered cautious optimism with the report. “Despite some areas where persistent rains have … Read More
USDA Targets Aid to Drought Stricken States
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest an additional $21 million to help farmers and ranchers in eight drought-stricken states. NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target areas that are experiencing either exceptional or extreme drought conditions, including parts of California, Kansas, Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. The … Read More
USDA Invests in Ogallala Aquifer
Farmers and Ranchers in the Ogallala Aquifer can expect improved water quality and the conservation of billions of gallons with the assistance of the USDA‘s $6.5 million dollar investment. Secretary Vilsack announced that funding will be directed towards seven target areas to support primary water sources and encourage rural economies. “This funding assists conservationists and agricultural producers in planning and implementing … Read More
USDA Honey Bee Loss Survey
USDA’s annual honey bee survey offered some good news and some bad news about the important pollinators – winter losses were lower, but summer losses were higher than the previous year. According to the survey, losses of managed honey bee colonies were 23.1 percent for the 2014-2015 winter but summer losses exceeded winter numbers for the first time, making annual … Read More
Bacteria Helps Honey Bee Larvae Thrive
A new bacterium is giving honey bee larvae a better chance of surviving. This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release says agency scientists identified the new bacterium. Molecular biologist Vanessa Corby-Harris and microbial ecologist Kirk E. Anderson at the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, Arizona, have named the new species Parasaccharibacter apium. The bee research center is … Read More
Planting Progress Zooms Ahead
A week ago corn planting was running behind schedule but thanks to the very latest precision technology corn farmers are now 17% ahead of the five year average with 55% of the crop in the ground, according to the latest crop progress report. “We saw more than one-third of the nation’s corn acres planted in a single week,” said USDA … Read More
Funding for New USDA Conservation Partnerships
In Colorado today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of up to $235 million to improve conservation efforts through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This will be the second round of projects funded through RCPP, the newest conservation tool of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) included in the 2014 Farm Bil. “This is a new, innovative … Read More