Vilsack Statement on Farm Income Forecast

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released its annual Farm Sector Income Forecast report for 2024 last week. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement following the release: “After the three highest consecutive years on record in 2021-2023, the first farm income forecast of 2024 indicates net farm income this year will return to …

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Farm Sector Profits Forecast to Fall in 2024

Clint ThompsonUSDA

Net farm income is expected to decrease by $39.8 billion in 2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS) report titled: Farm Sector Income & Finances: Highlights from the Farm Income Forecast. Net farm income is projected to be $116.1 billion in calendar year 2024, a 25.5% drop compared to 2023 in nominal (not adjusted for inflation) …

USDA to Issue $306 Million in Final Payments to Farmers Impacted by ’20, ’21 Natural Disasters

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – The U. S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing final Emergency Relief Program (ERP) payments totaling approximately $306 million to eligible commodity and specialty crop producers who incurred losses due to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) started sending these additional payments to eligible producers last week. “In the natural disaster recovery process, every little …

USDA Announces February 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2024, which became effective Feb. 1, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.   “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices …

Pesticide Data Program

USDA Releases 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary

Dan CooperPest Management, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which shows that over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains.   The PDP …

Investments to Strengthen Specialty Crops Sector

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments on Monday designed to support the U.S. specialty crops industry. The launch of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative will provide $65 million for projects that will help the specialty crop sector increase global exports and expand to new markets. Additionally, the USDA announced $72.9 …

Biden Administration Invests $207 Million in Clean Energy, Domestic Fertilizer Projects

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. producers. The announcement was made by Secretary Vilsack at the 105th annual American Farm Bureau Federation …

USDA NASS Conducts Hemp Survey

Clint ThompsonHemp, USDA

Athens, GA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) sent the Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to nearly 1,600 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina on Monday, Jan. 22. This follows NASS’s 2022 Hemp Acreage and Production survey. Like the 2022 questionnaire, this year’s survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested …

USDA to Kick off National Agricultural Classification Survey

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – Already preparing for the 2027 Census of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) starting Wednesday, Jan. 24. The survey, an important step in determining who should receive a 2027 Census of Agriculture questionnaire, will be distributed to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they …

USDA Announces January 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON â€“ The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2024, which became effective Tuesday, Jan. 2. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help farmers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices …