Articles tagged under: USDA
Senators Ask USDA for Producer Indemnity Support
Published May 11, 2020
A bipartisan group of senators are asking the USDA to help pork producers forced to depopulate herds in the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter, the lawmakers request indemnity funds for the immediate crisis. Pork producers typically send more than two…May USDA Report Released Tomorrow
Published May 11, 2020
On Tuesday, the USDA will release the May Supply and Demand report. This is the first month the agency forecasts in the new crop marketing year. The USDA will also update old crop demand numbers. NDSU Extension Crops Economist and…Packing Plants Start to Reopen
Published May 10, 2020
The week of May 3, 14 meatpacking plants resumed operations across the U.S. Three are located in the Northern Plains including the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the JBS plant in Worthington, Minnesota and the Jennie-O Turkey…USDA COVID-19 Food Distribution Program Begins Soon
Published May 8, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved $1.2 billion in contracts through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. This is part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The food box program will purchase up to $3 billion in fresh…Nickerson Appointed USDA Deputy Chief Economist
Published May 7, 2020
Dr. Cindy Nickerson has been named as the USDA deputy chief economist, effective June 7. Nickerson has spent 20 years at USDA. Most recently, Nickerson was the director of market and trade economics for the USDA Economic Research Service.Traders Leery Ahead of May USDA Report
Published May 7, 2020
The grain markets continue to trade sideways or lower ahead of the May Supply and Demand report. NAU Country Vice President of Farm Services Rich Morrison is not expecting friendly carryout numbers. "If the USDA uses its planting intentions numbers…USDA Offers Grants for Wetland Mitigation Banks
Published May 6, 2020
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced $5 million in grants available for wetland mitigation banks. Wetland mitigation banks restore, create or enhance wetlands to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another location. Farmers can buy credits from banks…USDA Food Purchase Details Now Available
Published May 4, 2020
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced details for the $470 million in Section 32 food purchases that is part of the COVID-19 assistance package. The dairy industry got the biggest share with $120 million. USDA will purchase $50 million respectively…Grain Traders Focus on Planting Progress
Published May 1, 2020
As May begins, planting progress becomes the focus for grain traders. Most traders are looking for Monday’s corn planting progress to be close to half done. "There's definitely some traders looking for the western Corn Belt to pull the eastern…