Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates 5 Parishes as Natural Disaster Areas Due To Severe Winter Storm
This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
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Forest Service Announces Additional 2026 Fee‑Free Day on June 6
The U.S. Forest Service today announced an additional 2026 recreation fee-free day on June 6 in celebration of National Trails Day, providing no cost use of all standard amenity recreation sites on national forests and grasslands.
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2025 NASS County Corn, Soybean, and Winter Wheat Yields
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the USDA recently released 2025 county yield estimates for corn, soybeans, and winter wheat. County yields tended to exceed the national average in the main Corn Belt region of the Midwest, while yields tended to be below the average in other areas. The number of individual U.S. counties with yield estimates reported has continued to decline.
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76% Of USDA Ag Researchers Tell Union They Won't Relocate
Federal News Network's Jory Heckman reported that "for the second time in seven years, USDA is looking to move D.C.-based employees at the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to Kansas City. USDA relocated hundreds of ERS and NIFA positions to Kansas City in 2019, but about 85% of impacted employees quit their jobs or retired, rather than relocate."
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USDA Urges Farmers And Ranchers To Take Action Ahead Of The 2026 Hurricane Season
USDA is here to help you prepare for and recover from hurricanes and related tropical weather activity. The 2026 hurricane season begins on June 1, and USDA is asking producers to prepare their operations for potential impacts and explore recovery resources.
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Louisiana Farmers Eligible for Emergency Loans Due to Drought
A Secretarial disaster designation was issued for Louisiana due to drought, making farm operators in primary and contiguous parishes across Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency loan assistance.
The drought, classified as a Fast-Track disaster, began on April 14. Farmers have until Jan. 4, 2027, to apply for these emergency loans.
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USDA Designates 6 Louisiana Parishes As Natural Disasters
This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans.
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USDA Ramping Up Wildfire Preparations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ramping up wildfire preparedness ahead of the 2026 fire season, directing the U.S. Forest Service to strengthen response efforts and protect rural communities.
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USDA Taking Steps to Give Better Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is restructuring its Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services mission area, announcing plans to create a new Food and Nutrition Administration aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery nationwide.
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USDA Opens Enrollment For Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP) starting May 4, 2026, through May 29, 2026. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers Grassland CRP, a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.
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USDA Announces May 2026 Lending Rates For Agricultural Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for May 2026, which are effective May 1, 2026. 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.
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NRCS Announces Second Application Sign-ups For Agricultural Land Easements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is establishing a second national deadline for agricultural producers and landowners to apply for fiscal year 2026 assistance in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The new deadline for entities to apply is May 29, 2026. NRCS is providing up to $200 million in funding for the application period for agricultural land easements.
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USDA Moves to Ease Fertilizer Cost Spike
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced new steps late Tuesday aimed at easing rising fertilizer costs that have added pressure to U.S. farmers during the spring planting season.
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Soybean Crops Have Emerged in 10 Key States, USDA Reports
According to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress report published Monday, 8% of the U.S. soybean crop has emerged. This is 7 points higher than the five-year average. According to the March 31 Prospective Plantings report, U.S. farmers are expected to plant 84.7 million acres of soybeans this season.
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Current USDA Natural Disaster Designation Areas in Louisiana
Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
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