The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for June 2025, which are effective June 2, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced several Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP beginning today through June 6, 2025.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release these emergency payments by May 30, and today she is delivering on that commitment ahead of schedule.
Read MoreThe National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanked Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the agency would quickly be sending Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cattle producers who suffered losses from drought and wildfire.
Read MoreThe Trump Administration recently appointed Craig McCain as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Louisiana. McCain joined the Louisiana FSA team on May 5, 2025.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Read MoreAccording to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, May 25, 2025. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 11 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 8 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced she will exercise the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) authority to provide a much-needed funding increase of $14.5 million in reimbursements to states for meat and poultry inspection programs.
“This is much welcome news. This has been an issue and major concern for the states. I thank the Trump Administration for funding this critical work to ensure the safety of our meat and poultry products for the American people,” said Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain.
Read MoreThe FY 2025 grant application period is open. Applications are due on June 27, 2025. Applications received after the due date will be subject to the AMS' - Policy on Late Applications. For any questions related to FMPP, contact FMLFPPgrants@usda.gov.
Read MoreHouse Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement after the release of the MAHA Commission initial assessment:
“We share President Trump’s vision for a healthier nation; however, we are troubled by the initial findings of the MAHA Commission Assessment and their impact on America’s farmers and ranchers.
Read MoreIt’s lunchtime at Northwestern Elementary outside Baton Rouge.
The school’s kindergarteners pick out a box of milk and place it on a tray. There’s fried chicken, a roll, a vegetable of their choice, and some pineapple.
“I ate it all,” said a 5-year-old with a gap-toothed grin, pointing to his empty fruit cup.
Read MoreAccording to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, May 18, 2025. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus.
Read MoreOver the next several weeks, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the June Agricultural Survey. The agency will contact nearly 92,000 producers across the nation to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2025.
Read MoreThe USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Louisiana along with the Vermilion Soil and Water Conservation District (VSWCD) have announced a watershed plan and environmental assessment for the Lower Vermilion River Watershed (LVRW) and offer the public an opportunity to comment on the plan via a public meeting and/or in written comments.
Local residents, agricultural producers and the VSWCD have been developing a plan to manage water issues in the LVRW since conceptual ideas were formulated in a 1964 plan.
Read MoreThe afternoon session of this week’s USA Rice Trade Fly-in sparked excellent conversation and policy analysis and debate from attendees and distinguished guests.
Staff from the U.S. Department of State’s Iraq desk and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff responsible for Iraq shared the U.S. government’s view towards the U.S.-Iraq relationship, in which normal and growing trade and U.S. rice play a major role today and going forward.
Read MoreThe House Agriculture Committee voted to advance legislation that would make significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the effort to institute federal spending cuts to pay for President Trump’s legislative agenda.
The legislation directs states to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs, narrows eligibility requirements for the program, and aims to prevent the federal government from being able to increase monthly benefits in the future.
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