USDA Recognizes National Pollinator Week
During the week of June 17-23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is recognizing and celebrating National Pollinator Week. Pollinator species, such as bees, other insects, birds and bats play a critical role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States.
“Our nation’s farmers depend on a vibrant ecosystem to feed and fuel communities, and pollinators are an important part of that ecosystem,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This week and every week, it is critically important that we protect pollinators and their habitats. Healthy pollinator populations are essential to the continued success and well-being of agricultural producers, rural America and the entire U.S. economy because without them, many of our nation's crops wouldn't be able to produce as many fruits, nuts or vegetables.”
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LSU AgCenter Works to Introduce Young People to Outdoor Recreation in Northeast Louisiana
Over the next two years, young people in northeastern Louisiana will be introduced to swimming, bird-watching, fishing and other activities through a series of LSU AgCenter events and clinics designed to improve access to the outdoors.
The programs will include birding and fishing clinics and water activity days at lakes in the region that will introduce children and teens to activities and help them learn the best places to take part in outdoor recreation in northeastern Louisiana.
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Farm Service Agency Seeking Nominations For Farmers And Ranchers To Serve On Local County Committees
Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024.
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Deadline Approaching For Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
The deadline is approaching to sign up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agricultural producers and private landowners can sign up for the program until June 28. Managed by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Grassland CRP encourages the conservation of grasslands while allowing for continued grazing and haying practices.
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Southeast Farmland Value Continues To Climb
Corn Belt farmland prices remain strong, but Southeast farmland values are running at a stout pace, too.
In a recent Southern Ag Today article, Kevin Kim, an economist with the Mississippi State University Extension, broke down farmland trends across the country, including the Southeast.
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‘Dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico Predicted to be Bigger than Average this Summer
The “dead zone” forms in the Gulf of Mexico every summer. It’s caused by nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, largely from farm fertilizer and municipal runoff, which are carried down the Mississippi River and into the gulf. Algae feeds on those nutrients and when it dies, bacteria deplete oxygen in the water, causing marine life to die or avoid the area.
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‘Feral Swine Bomb’ Explained: Why Wild Hogs In 35 States Have Scientists Worried
Wild hogs have taken over areas in Florida and North Carolina this spring, exploding to nearly three dozen states as part of a troubling decades-long uptick federal officials warn could ignite a dreaded “feral swine bomb,” sparking concerns a growing population can spread diseases to humans, and destroy critical agricultural land and forests.
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Crop Market Update: June, 2024
The 2024/25 U.S. corn outlook is unchanged relative to last month. The season average price received by producers remains at $4.40 per bushel. USDA will release its Acreage report on June 28, which will provide survey-based indications of planted and harvested area.
The 2024/25 outlook for U.S. soybeans includes higher beginning and ending stocks. Higher beginning stocks reflect reduced crush for 2023/24, down 10 million bushels on lower soybean meal domestic use that is partly offset by higher exports.
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2024 Rice Consultant Of The Year Nominations Now Open
Nominate an outstanding consultant for the Rice Consultant of the Year Award. It is helpful to include background information about the consultant and support letters from people who know him or her.
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USA Rice Unveils New Grown in the USA Mark
The U.S. rice industry’s “Grown in the USA” mark has been around for decades. It signified to consumers that the rice contents of the package bearing the mark was 100 percent U.S.-grown. While it has been the dominant Country of Origin mark for U.S. rice, it is not the only one. Some rice packages bear different red, white, and blue themed designs or words “Product of Texas,” “California Grown,” “Certified Louisiana,” or similar.
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USDA Awards $50 Million to Support Farmworkers and Agricultural Employers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $50 million to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico, through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program), reaching 177 unique agricultural operations and over 11,000 workers.
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USDA Invites Organizations To Apply For Grants To Repair Affordable Housing In Rural Communities
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to repair or rehabilitate homes, rental properties or cooperatives for people in rural areas with low or very low incomes.
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Red River Livestock Auction: June 12, 2024
Click below for the market report from the latest Red River Livestock Auction.
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2024 Cotton Consultant Of The Year Nominations Now Open
The Cotton Consultant of the Year (CCOY) Award recognizes a consultant who has made great contributions to the cotton industry through outstanding customer relations, leadership and innovation.
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Could Louisiana See Drought Conditions Again in 2024?
Louisiana experienced unprecedented hot weather last summer, which carried into the fall and winter months, this being known as drought.
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