U.S. Department of Agriculture
A federal judge announced Friday a decision to halt payments in a USDA loan forgiveness program designed to help farmers of color. USDA has until Friday to respond to the court’s temporary restraining order.
Just before leaving for the G-20 Summit in Italy this week, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack told leaders from around the globe that agriculture will lead the way in creating climate solutions.
“I like to say you’re going to have to have a permit to do normal farming decisions,” he told Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk.
USDA is continuing its rollout of aid to segments of the agriculture industry impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Justice filed court documents Friday in defense of USDA’s plan to forgive debt for socially disadvantaged farmers. The filing is in response to a Judge’s recent ruling to halt the payments.
AgriTalk’s Chip Flory and Pro Farmer’s Jim Wiesemeyer discuss lumber prices as a leading indicator for the grain markets, plus drought in the western states and line speeds in pork plants.
The plan requires conserving 440 million acres.
This blog salutes the accomplishment of two USDA conservation professionals, Alex Barbarika and Mike Linsenbigler, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.
USDA’s first look at new crop in the May WASDE indicated higher crop prices could start to erode demand. However, USDA points out greater domestic use could help offset the idea of lower exports.
As soybean supply concerns continue to impact the market, USDA’s fresh look at 2020/2021 ending stocks in the May WASDE report paints a scenario where soybean supplies will remain extremely tight.