Usda - Articles

Planting Progress Report Shows Soybean Planting Underway

April 18, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Texas and Louisiana led the way among corn and soybean plantings, respectively.

Sign-Up Underway for 2022 USDA Ag Census

April 13, 2022

The Census of Agriculture is designed to be a complete count of U.S. farms, ranches, and operators. The agency defines a farm as anywhere $1,000 or more of fruit, vegetables or food animals are raised or sold.

Grassland CRP Enrollment Begins Next Week

March 30, 2022 | Posted in Economics

The USDA encourages producers and landowners to enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program starting next week through May 13, 2022.

Farmer’s Deadline Fast Approaching for Cover Crop Subsidy

March 10, 2022 | Posted in Economics

If you planted cover crops and have coverage under most crop insurance policies you are likely eligible to receive premium support of $5 per acre. But time is running out to sign up.

Motivation & Challenges in Adopting Soil Health Practices

February 28, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

In 2019-20, Nebraska Healthy Soils Task Force (HSTF) conducted a survey to learn about producers' motivation and challenges in cover crop (CC), nutrient and other soil health management practices across the state. A total of 275 people participated in the survey of which 64.0% (n=176) were producers, 4.7% (n = 13) were landowners, 10.9% (n = 30) were crop consultants, 16.4% (n = 45) were from the university, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and state agencies, and other attendees were 4.0% (n = 11). Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

Farmers with Cover Crops Eligible for Premium Crop Insurance Benefit

Report cover crop acreage by March 15 to receive the premium benefit this year.

February 10, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Producers must report cover crop acreage by March 15, 2022, to receive the premium benefit from the USDA.

USDA to Spend $1 Billion For Climate Funding, Including Cover Crops

February 7, 2022

Projects must focus on the on-farm, on-ranch or forest production of commodities and show reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission or carbon sequestration as a benefit. The project description specifically mentions cover crops, no-till and low-till among the projects favored for selection, but indicates they won’t be enough by themselves.

RMA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities to June

January 27, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Source: USDA Risk Management Agency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending program flexibilities to Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) and agricultural producers until June 30, 2022 or later. Originally, these flexibilities were expiring this month.

Conservation Reserve

USDA Announces 2022 CRP Sign up for Growers, Landowners

The conservation program comes in 3 flavors

January 26, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

The last signup for any of the programs, apart from the Continuous CRP, is May 13.

USDA NRCS Announces New EQIP Cover Crop Initiative

January 17, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Source: USDA press release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option, a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative, and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Read more in this press release from NRCS.