A USDA Agricultural Research Service scientist is working with Monsanto to develop a kit that cotton growers could use to determine whether weeds in their fields are glyphosate resistant. Don Parker, Manager of Integrated Pest Management for the National Cotton Council, explains that early detection is key in managing glyphosate-resistant weeds. “If a resistant weed is detected early, alternative measures … Read More
REAP Funds Make Rural Areas More Energy Efficient
Farmers, ranchers and small businesses in rural areas of 22 states will benefit from projects designed to use energy more efficiently, as well as making sure renewable energy from rural America is a significant part of the mix. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the latest round of grants and loans being made available through the Rural Energy for … Read More
USDA Data Shows Need For National Sodsaver Provision
Recently released USDA Farm Service Agency data demonstrates a rapid conversion of non-cropland to cropland. Center for Rural Affairs analysis of the 2012 data reveals the importance of inclusion of a national Sodsaver provision in the Farm Bill that would help address the significant loss of grasslands by ratcheting down subsidized crop insurance on cropland converted from native prairie. “This … Read More
Young Texas Trio Brings Technology to the Farm
The tales of young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs launching new ventures out of Silicon Valley are common. But what about three 20-something brothers who live – not in some high tech mecca – but near the small community of Wilderado, Texas, who started a new business venture? The Gruhlkey brothers – Brittan, 24, Braden, 25, and Cameron, 20 – are farming cotton, … Read More
USDA and Coca-Cola Partner
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and Coca-Cola Americas President Steve Cahillane announced a public-private partnership to restore and protect damaged watersheds on national lands. Together these efforts aim to return more than a billion liters of water to the National Forest System – which provides drinking water to more than 60 million Americans. The announcement was made … Read More
Improving Rural Broadband Service
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced loans to help finance the construction of broadband networks in rural Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and South Dakota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy. This funding announcement will provide … Read More
Funds to Improve Conservation on Agricultural Lands
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of 33 Conservation Innovation Grants to entities across the nation to develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to accelerate private lands conservation. Grant recipients will demonstrate innovative approaches to improve soil health, conserve energy, manage nutrients and enhance wildlife habitat in balance with productive agricultural systems. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service administers this competitive … Read More
Conservation Work Minimizes Nutrient Runoff
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report that shows farmers have significantly reduced the loss of sediment and nutrients from farm fields through voluntary conservation work in the lower Mississippi River basin. Secretary Vilsack highlighted the value of conservation programs to these efforts, and called on Congress to pass a comprehensive Food, Farm and … Read More
Ag Resource Management Survey for Peanuts
The last time peanuts were the subject of a USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) was 2004 but soon those outdated figures for peanut farmers financial and crop production practices will be updated, according to USDA officials who attended the 2013 Southern Peanut Growers Conference this past week in Panama City Beach, Florida. “This is a crucial time for us … Read More
Collaboration to Benefit Agricultural Lands
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Defense Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Installations and Environment John Conger announced a federal, local and private collaboration that will preserve agricultural lands, assist with military readiness and restore and protect wildlife habitat. Through the Sentinel Landscapes partnership, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) and … Read More