USDA Expands Insurance Option for Nursery Growers to All States

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding crop insurance tailored for nursery producers to all counties in all states. Nursery Value Select (NVS) is a pilot program that enables nursery growers to select the dollar amount of coverage that best fits their risk management needs. Its expansion is part of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) efforts to …

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USDA to Provide More Than $3 Billion to Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters   

Web AdminAgri-business, Specialty Crops, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide more than $3 billion to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2022. Eligible impacted producers can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022. The program will help offset the financial impacts of crop yield and value losses from qualifying disasters occurring in 2022. “2022 was …

Survey Says: Growers to Use Cover Crops Even If Not Incentivized

Web AdminHemp, USDA

Cash incentives have spurred some growers to implement cover crops as part of their farming operations. But a recent survey has shown, after those incentives from cash or crop insurance discounts go away, producers are prone to stick with the process. In a U.S. Department of Agriculture interview, Rob Myers, director of the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the …

Major Deadline Looming: Acreage Reports Due for Most Crops by July 17

Web AdminUSDA

Southeast specialty crop producers are reminded that July 17 is a major deadline to file acreage reports with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for most crops. Crop acreage reports document the crops grown on producers’ farms and ranches along with their intended uses. Farmers must file timely acreage reports to be eligible for many of the USDA programs.  These …

Hurricane Insurance Adds Tropical Storm Option

Web AdminAgribusiness, USDA

After hearing directly from agricultural producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement with a Tropical Storm Option. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will offer this option for the 2023 crop year. “During the past few years, many farmers have felt the impacts of tropical activity, and it’s important that we offer …

Diversification: Secret to Specialty Crop Success

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Pumpkins, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Drew Echols attributes his success to not putting all of his eggs in one basket. The fifth-generation farmer who co-owns production on more than 600 acres in northeast Georgia is not afraid to adjust his farming practices to fit the current needs of specialty crop production. INCREASING ACRES, CROPS AND MARKETS“I looked at a lot of these …

UF/IFAS Ag Engineer Using AI to Assess Crop Damage Following Tropical Storms, Hurricanes

Web AdminWeather

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to quantify damage to fruits and vegetables caused by extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ian in 2022. When Ian struck on Sept. 28, it brought winds up to 155 mph and caused as much as $1.56 billion in damage to crops, livestock …

Farm Bill’s Importance for Specialty Crop Farmers

Web AdminFarm Bill

By Clint Thompson The year 2023 will be the year of the Farm Bill for farmers across the U.S. The piece of legislation that is renewed every five years will be vital to producers in all areas of agriculture. It will be especially important for Southeast specialty crop producers, says Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist. “Specialty crops within the Farm …

Growth of Specialty Crops Highlights Need for Expanded Risk Management Tools

Web AdminSpecialty Crops

Specialty crops including fruits, vegetables and nuts make up almost one-third of total crop sales in the United States. A large number of specialty crop acres remain uninsured, however. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economists examined specialty crop coverage in the latest Market Intel and found that more than 80% of the acreage of hazelnuts, kiwifruit, strawberries and lettuce remain …