The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for March 2021, which are effective March 1. Operating and Ownership Loans The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time or new…
The North American Meat Institute recently asked the Supreme Court to review an earlier ruling in a challenge of California's Proposition 12: The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative. The Meat Institute petition specifically asks the Supreme Court to review a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruling in a…
LINCOLN--Nebraskans voiced their stance on a bill that would give agriculture equipment owners greater access to tools needed to do their own repairs. Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth introduced the Agricultural Equipment Right-To-Repair Act, a bill that would give farmers access to all the tools needed to fix their own ag equipment.…
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says China is making good on its promises in the phase one trade deal it signed with the U.S. last year. CNBC says Vilsack points out the agreement allows market conditions to determine how much it has to buy from American farmers. COVID-19 qualifies as…
The Nebraska Chapter of the Soil & Water Conservation Society (SWCS), Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Foundation (NSWCF), and SWCS-UNL Foundation are pleased to announce 8 scholarship recipients for the spring 2021 semester. A total of 14 applications were received from students attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the University…
WASHINGTON- House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement in support of the American Rescue Plan Act: I rise in support of the bill, which provides relief for hungry people and for our agricultural producers, including $5 billion tailored to assist those Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other…
Washington, D.C. Feb. 25, 2021. Members of the American Soybean Association (ASA) have completed the organization’s annual resolutions process to set the tone and direction for policy advocacy in the weeks and months ahead. As is typical with any “out with the old, in with the new” activity, the organization aims…
The Department of Agriculture Thursday announced a $42.3 million investment to help rural residents access health care and educational opportunities. USDA says rural areas are seeing higher infection and death rates related to COVID-19 due to several factors, including a much higher percentage of underlying conditions, difficulty accessing medical care,…
The Department of Agriculture Thursday extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters the sign-up period will be extended, allowing producers more time to apply. The deadline will extend 30 days after USDA completes a review of…
The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking the Department of Agriculture to extend the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. In January, an additional $13 billion in assistance was made available to help farmers and ranchers suffering losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current deadline is…