USDA Updates Farm Loan Programs to Increase Financial Freedom, Resilience and Profitability for Agricultural Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announces changes to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs, effective Sept. 25, 2024 — changes that are intended to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable. These improvements, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, demonstrate USDA’s commitment to improving farm profitability through farm loans designed to provide important financing options used by producers to cover operating expenses and purchase land and equipment.
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In Battle Against Italian Ryegrass, Cover Crops Add To Arsenal Of Control Options
Many farmers already know cover crops provide a range of benefits. Planted in between cash crop growing seasons when fields would otherwise sit empty, cover crops help reduce erosion, enrich the soil nutrient profile and break up compacted areas.
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Two Louisiana Rice Farms Play a Major Role in Conservation Best Practices
Last week, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Soil and Water Conservation (LDAF-OSWC) visited two farms to learn about Best Management Practices (BMPs) on rice production agricultural lands to increase air and water quality, wildlife habitat, soil health, and more. The purpose of the visits was to film the story of implementing BMPs on the farm, and share the experience of two south Louisiana rice farming families. The resulting film will be released by the LDAF in the coming months.
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Plans Pulled for Massive St. John Grain Terminal; Company Cites Fed Delays
Greenfield Louisiana LLC said Tuesday it was “halting” its $800 million Wallace Grain Export Facility, which it started in 2021. The company cited continued delays in permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which must sign off on any proposal that involves construction near the Mississippi River levee.
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Peter Williams Aims To Be Agricultural Voice for La. Congressional District 6
Peter Williams is one of four Democratic candidates aiming to represent Louisiana’s Congressional District 6.
Williams is up against current Democratic State Senator Cleo Fields, former Republican State Senator Elbert Guillory, Democratic newcomer Quentin Anthony Anderson and Democrat Wilken Jones, Jr.
A key focus for Williams is becoming a voice for the agriculture scene in District 6.
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Acadiana Farmers & Their Crops Are Liking August Heat After July Rains
The heat in Acadiana over the past couple of weeks has been intense. There is concern about its effect on crops.
When temperatures creep up into the triple digits, it's normally a bad thing for farmers, but since we've had so much rain from spring up to now in the summer months, that story is different.
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Halftime Report Observations in Farm Business
The year 2024 is moving fast towards the quarter-century mark. Traveling in 32 states and engaging with many groups across the agricultural, economic, and business spectrums has provided insights on trends.
Engagement with Mexican bankers at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Graduate School of Banking finds that purchases of farmland by foreign buyers is just not a U.S. issue.
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Crayfish Market Size Is Set To Grow by USD 2.26 Billion From 2024-2028, Growing Demand for Aquaculture-Based Fish Varieties To Boost the Market Growth, Technavio
The global crayfish market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.26 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.15% during the forecast period. Growing demand for aquaculture-based fish varieties is driving market growth, with a trend towards demand for processed and packaged crayfish.
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USDA Forest Service Announces $25M Funding Opportunity to Reduce Wildfire Risk, Support Local Businesses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is announcing a funding opportunity through the hazardous fuels transportation assistance program to reduce wildfire risk, expand and create market opportunities, and support local jobs. This program is available to local businesses and partners that remove hazardous fuels from national forests and transport the material to be processed for wood products or services.
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Ag Commissioner Adopts an International Agenda
After nearly two and a half decades in elected office, including five consecutive terms as Louisiana’s agriculture and forestry commissioner, Mike Strain is hitting his stride politically and carving out new policy niches.
A veterinarian by trade (just like his wife), Strain has an eyebrow-raising $781,000 in his finance account. That’s a high-water mark for his campaign, and a personal accomplishment for the commissioner.
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USDA Invests $22 Million in 29 Projects to Expand Conservation for Livestock Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $22 million for 29 selected projects in 36 states that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increases the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is funding the cooperative agreements through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), which empowers partners to increase availability of grazing land technical assistance for livestock producers, including historically underserved producers, as well as Native American tribal governments.
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Iraq Resumes Purchases Of U.S. Rice
After months of uncertainty following U.S. government-imposed financial restrictions, Iraq again is purchasing rice from the United States. Over the weekend, ADM Rice sold a vessel of U.S. rice which will be loaded and sail to Iraq early this fall.
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Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development Program
Learn about funding for ag-related internship programs
Through this grant, Louisiana businesses can establish internship programs that grow the next generation of agriculture professionals while strengthening their own businesses.
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Walking and Talking Fields: August 5, 2024
The corn crop, as a whole, should yield very well. Some of it will be off due to rainfalls and saturated soils.
Grain sorghum yields are going to be all over the place, some as good as I’ve ever seen, and some not so good, just for the same reasons…we’ve had some serious water issues on some of our grain sorghum, and that’s really going to take a hit on some yields.
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Thank You, Farmworkers
Farmworkers, today we appreciate you. Your hard work may often be behind the scenes but please know that it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Today may be Farmworker Appreciation Day, but every day anyone enjoys a meal is one we should be thanking a farmworker.
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