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USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted
Almond trees in bloom. Photo: Scott Jungling, Flickr Creative Commons MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. The application deadline for these specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is March 17, 2023, 5:00 p.m. CST.
5 Crop and Livestock Charts to Ponder from USDA’s 10-Year Outlook
What will the next decade hold for your farm? What factors should you use to weigh investments or crop planning? Each year USDA provides a 10-year outlook for major crop and livestock commodities. Known as the Agricultural Baseline Projections, this report guides agricultural investments in Washington, D.C., and is helpful for farmers as it shines a light on current and future trends. The latest baselined is built on the years 2023/24 to 2032/33. Here are five trends and data sets to ponder.
USDA Report Shows How Farm Labor And Land Costs Have Been Replaced By Purchased Equipment, Inputs
(USDA) U.S. farm output-the total amount of livestock, crops, and other farm-related outputs produced in a year-tripled in the seven decades from 1948 to 2019. At the same time, the total amount of inputs used in U.S. farm production only increased slightly by 4 percent, at an annual rate of 0.06 percent, partly because of a shift away from labor and land and toward non-land capital and other intermediate inputs.
Texas Producer Shawn Holladay Elected Chairman Of Nat’l Cotton Council
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Shawn Holladay, a Lubbock producer, was elected National Cotton Council (NCC) chairman for 2023 during the organization’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. Joe Nicosia, a Cordova, Tenn., merchant, will serve as vice chairman for 2023. Holladay has served in many NCC roles including as a director and as its vice chairman in 2022. He served on multiple NCC committees including chairing its Farm Policy & Economic Policy and its Budget committees.
USDA: Weekly National Peanut Prices
Photo: Nick McMichen The following prices are effective from Wednesday 02/15/2023 at 12:01 am Eastern Time until midnight Tuesday 02/21/2023. The next announcement is scheduled for Tuesday 02/21/2023 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. $424.68 per ton for Runner peanuts $413.41 per ton for Spanish peanuts $428.31 per ton for Valencia peanuts $428.31 per ton for Virginia peanuts These NPP are based on the loan rates for 2022-crop peanuts announced on July 6, 2022.
USDA: Weekly National Rice Summary
Photo: University of Arkansas In the south, long and medium grain milled rice steady. Parboiled prices steady. Second heads and Brewers steady. Rice by-products: Rice Bran, Millfeed and Rice Hulls steady. In California, medium grain milled rice steady to firm. Second heads and Brewers steady to firm. Rice by-products: Rice Bran and rice hulls steady.
Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon: What Farmers Need to Know
It all started February 2, 2023, when the Pentagon said it had detected a Chinese spy balloon hovering over Montana. Since the news broke, the unknowns about the object, along with the detection of more unmanned objects, sent the U.S. into a flurry. Now, market analysts warn farmers the situation could impact the crops they sell. The Chinese balloon flew over the United States and Canada for a week before President Joe Biden issued an order to shoot it down.
NCC Survey Suggests U.S. Producers to Plant 11.4 Million Acres of Cotton in 2023
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 11.4 million cotton acres this spring, down 17.0 percent from 2022, according to the National Cotton Council’s 42nd Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey. (see table below) Upland cotton intentions are 11.2 million acres, down 17.3 percent from 2022, while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions of 184,000 acres represent a 0.5 percent increase.
Thompson on Cotton: Black Swans
Mature cotton rows with spotty stand from weather conditions. ©Debra L Ferguson Unforeseen events, often called Black Swans, can be a market’s worst nightmare. Such was the case last week when news broke of a devastating earthquake in the country of Turkey. The heaviest destruction centered around an area highly involved in cotton commerce. Thus, fearing an impact on world trade, the market reacted as one might expect, selling off over 200 points.
Rice Outlines Farm Bill Priorities at Crop Insurance Convention
Rice takes the long view at crop insurance convention BONITA SPRINGS, FL — The Annual Crop Insurance Convention hosted by the American Association of Crop Insurers and National Crop Insurance Services is ongoing here this week. The schedule includes presentations from a host of policy makers, agriculture industry stakeholders, and others, including Members of Congress, staff from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and commodity group representatives.
Nat’l Cotton Council Issues Industry Outlook, Forecasts 17% Less Planted Acres In 2023
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – National Cotton Council economists point to a few key factors that will shape the U.S. cotton industry’s 2023 economic outlook. This past year can be characterized as a year with significant uncertainty and volatility in the global economy and the world cotton market. The U.S. cotton industry continues to navigate an environment characterized by increased production costs, slumping consumer demand, and supply chain disruptions.
Pecan Growers Look Forward To Increased Exports, Profits As India Reduces Tariffs
Trade missions over the years have sought out viable market opportunities for pecans — which are native to the southeastern U.S. and northern Mexico — but with a historic 100% customs tax on pecans, the market was essentially closed to the global pecan industry, until now. (Photo by Lenny Wells) Georgia pecan growers are celebrating a huge win as India reduced tariffs on imported pecans by 70% last week following a decades-long effort to open that market for the popular tree nut.
Crop Insurance, Production Costs, ERP Among Key Topics at Senate Ag Farm Bill Hearing
A Senate Ag Committee hearing Thursday on the new farm bill raised a issue that is now evident: the Title 1 farm bill safety net can no longer deal with the current ag environment of rising production costs and relatively high prices for some commodities. USDA officials also faced criticism about its handling of Phase 2 payments via the Emergency Relief Program (ERP).
Boddiford elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission
TIFTON, Ga. (Feb. 10, 2023) – The Joe Boddiford, peanut farmer from Sylvania, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the February monthly board meeting. This is Boddiford’s second consecutive term serving as chairman. He previously served as chairman in 2000. “I look forward to working with Georgia peanut farmers and our industry partners to help enhance the peanut industry and the profitability of farmers,” Boddiford says.
USDA: Weekly National Peanut Prices
Peanuts. Photo: Oklahoma State University Released February 3, 2023, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Peanut Price Highlights prices received by farmers for all farmer stock peanuts averaged 26.8 cents per pound for the week ending January 28, up 1.4 cents from the previous week.
LSU AgCenter Awarded $10M USDA Grant for Louisiana Rice Industry Sustainability
BATON ROUGE, La. — An LSU AgCenter scientist has been awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to improve sustainability and profitability of rice farming through research innovations that advance climate-resilient crops. “Agricultural innovation remains paramount to the future of Louisiana.
New Cotton Trait A ‘Game Changer’ For Tarnished Plant Bug, Thrip Control
Cotton growers needing better control of tarnished plant bugs, thrips and other key pests this season have a new tool now available with the biotech trait ThryvOn Technology. The first-of-its-kind, cotton biotech trait is commercially available to farmers as Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology – just in time for the 2023 production season. “The ThryvOn Technology offers growers the first built-in protection against key tarnished plant bugs and thrips species.
4 Macro Factors Impacting the Agricultural Economy
What is the state of the U.S. economy? What is the threat of a recession? How will these macro factors impact the agricultural economy? Your farm is being impacted by a myriad of macro and micro economic risks. Kanlaya Barr, director of corporate economics at John Deere, provides a guide to a few risks you should monitor in the next year. 1. Recession Probability For the next 12 months, the probability the U. S. economy will fall into a recession is about 60%, Barr says.
Weekly Cotton Market Review - USDA
Spot quotations averaged 137 points lower than the previous week, according to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Serviceís Cotton and Tobacco Program. Quotations for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0-28.9, and uniformity 81.0-81.9) in the seven designated markets averaged 83.84 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, February 2, 2023.
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel: What’s the Difference?
Biomass-based diesel has long played an important role in compliance with the U.S. Renewable Fuels (RFS) mandates (e.g., farmdoc daily, July 19, 2017). The two main types of biomass-based diesel fuels used to comply with the RFS mandates are “biodiesel” and “renewable diesel.” Historically, biodiesel production has substantially outpaced renewable diesel production. This began to change in recent years due to a boom in building out renewable diesel production capacity.
Secretary Vilsack Appoints Members, Alternates, and Advisors to Serve on The Cotton Board
Mature cotton bolls in early morning light. ©Debra L Ferguson (MEMPHIS, TN) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 18 members, 18 alternate members, and one advisor to serve on The Cotton Board. These appointees will serve three-year terms, ending December 31, 2025. Newly appointed members: Nick McMichen, Producer – AL; Albert Riley James, Producer – MO; Avinash Bhaskar, Importer; Patricia Lesser, Importer; John R. Rosman, Importer; and Barbara Buhr, Importer.
USDA Cotton Ginnings Report
(Joelle Orem, AgFax) Released February 8, 2023, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To read the entire Cotton Ginnings report, Click Here.
We Shouldn’t Have Laughed About Polyester
The world is swimming in polyester. If you don’t believe me look at the label on your trunks. Polyester comprises over half of all fabric content and has made possible clothing that probably shouldn’t be worn by people over 50. Ponder the graph below: Polyester’s popularity was prompted by economics (it’s cheap), and properties such as non-shrinking and, most importantly, fashion. RESPECT THE STRETCH An example: spray-on tight jeans.
Historic Louisiana Rice Farm Makes History Again
ABBEVILLE, LA – Conservation and rice farming have always gone together, especially here at Live Oak Farm in Vermilion Parish. The farm’s owners, the Godchaux family, have been an integral part of the Louisiana and U.S. rice industries for multiple generations as original founders of Riviana Foods.
SePRO’s Brake Herbicide Now Labeled For Use In Peanuts
Carmel, IN – Welcome news for peanut growers is that Brake herbicide has received EPA approval for use in peanut. Brake herbicide delivers broad-spectrum, long residual control of grass and broadleaf weeds, including herbicide resistant pigweed (palmer amaranth). This benefit is due to Brake herbicide’s unique mode of action (Group 12), making the product an effective tank-mix partner to other commonly used herbicides to help create a strong IPM package.
2023 Farm Sector Income Forecast, February
The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) indicated on Tuesday that, “Farm sector income is forecast to fall in 2023 following two years of strong growth.
2023 and 2024 Effective Reference Prices and the Next Farm Bill
The reference price escalator was introduced in the 2018 Farm Bill and uses effective reference prices to calculate Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments. Effective reference prices can exceed statutory reference prices. Through 2023, the escalator clause has not resulted in higher reference prices for corn and soybeans. However, in 2024, the escalator likely will increase reference prices.
USDA Weekly National Posted Prices for Peanuts
Photo by Mark Stebnicki The following prices are effective from Wednesday 02/08/2023 at 12:01 am Eastern Time until midnight Tuesday 02/14/2023. The next announcement is scheduled for Tuesday 02/14/2023 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. $424.68 per ton for Runner peanuts $413.41 per ton for Spanish peanuts $428.31 per ton for Valencia peanuts $428.31 per ton for Virginia peanuts These NPP are based on the loan rates for 2022-crop peanuts announced on July 6, 2022.
Rain Or Drought? What to Expect from the Weather Following the End of La Niña?
After three years of La-Niña-driven weather, scientists at the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) say the cold water along the equatorial Pacific is showing signs of warming. The CPC in January said there’s now an 82% chance for ENSO-neutral by spring. “It will take a period of a few months for the pattern to completely break down but in the process, we will have opportunities for breaks from the pattern that’s been so prevailing,” says Drew Lerner, president at World Weather Inc.
Myungrang Hotdogs Coming to a Costco Near You
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Myungrang Hotdogs (MH), the Korean corn dogs deep fried in rice flour, are now available at Costco stores here, thanks to a promotion partnership with USA Rice. “MH switched out the rice flour in their batter from domestic to U.S. medium grain a couple of years ago,” said Jim Guinn, USA Rice director of Asia promotion programs.
USDA Confirms Farmers’ Fears: Net Farm and Net Cash Farm Income Expected to Fall This Year
Even with the rise in fertilizer and fuel prices, net farm income hit a record in 2022. Now, USDA ERS says 2023 could be a different story, forecasting net farm income to fall nearly 16% this year. USDA’s first official net farm income forecast of the year shows higher costs will drive down 2023 net farm income, but the bigger factor is the forecast for a decline in commodity prices.
Tension With China, The Largest Market for U.S. Ag Exports
“The Chinese government, which has claimed the balloon was merely collecting weather data before being blown off course, called the vessel’s downing ‘a clear overreaction and a serious violation of international practice’ and said it ‘reserves the right to make further responses if necessary.’” Also on Sunday, Bloomberg News reported that, “Instead of establishing ‘guardrails’ and holding high-level meetings — including possibly with President Xi — Blinken ended up postponing his trip until a...
In Face Of Urban Sprawl, Susan Weaver Ford is the Farm Next Door
If Susan Weaver Ford wasn’t a farmer, she’d be a basketball coach. In fact, she was one before returning to her Kenly, N.C., farm. For two years, Ford was a dedicated strategist on the sidelines of the women’s basketball team at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.V. As assistant coach, she recruited athletes, studied game films, developed players’ skills and coordinated logistics. Most importantly, she honed her relationship skills.
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