Usda

USDA Reports 2% of Corn Planted in the U.S.

April 5, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

According to the latest USDA Crop Progress report, some 2% of corn has been planted in the week ended April 4, in line with the 2% planted in the same week last year.

Understanding the Haney Soil Test

November 2, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: KMA Radio

The Haney soil health test, named for U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist Rick Haney, includes more than a dozen different soil-test values. Those include standard macro- and micro-nutrients for plant consumption, but what’s different about the Haney test is that it also estimates nutrients for microbial consumption, focusing on how much carbon and nitrogen is in the soil. Read more in this article from KMA.

Auburn University Receives Grant to Study Cover Crops, Other Conservation Practices

August 17, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Southeast Ag Net

The grants are designed to help partners implement and evaluate innovative approaches that have demonstrated conservation benefits on farmland. These conservation practices are sorely needed on Alabama farms for several reasons, said Rishi Prasad, assistant professor and Alabama Extension specialist in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences and leader of the research project. Read more in this article from Southeast AgNet.

USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs

August 10, 2020 | Posted in Economics

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020.

Late Corn Harvest, Wet Spring Leads to Prevent Planting

July 20, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: Capital Journal (Pierre, SD)

For the first time ever, the Ed and Andrew Askegaard families are using their prevented-planting insurance. “Here we are,” Ed said, “after Memorial Day, harvesting our COVID-19 corn." Read more in this article from the Capital Journal (Pierre, SD).

USDA Announces Flexibilities for Producers Filing ‘Notice of Loss’ for Failed, Prevented Planted Acres

July 8, 2020 | Posted in Economics

The USDA is providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops or crops that were prevented from planting because of extreme weather events. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is adding these flexibilities for Notice of Loss on both insured and uninsured crops to enable Service Centers to best assist producers.

Crop Residue, Cover Crops Boost Soil Health Benefits

By Sarah Hill posted on July 8, 2020

More and more growers are becoming interested in cover crops and no-till and the soil health benefits they can provide. A 4-year study conducted by South Dakota State University (SDSU) and USDA-Agricultural Research Service reiterates just that fact.

Are You Familiar with the Haney Soil Test?

June 17, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

The Haney soil health test, named for USDA scientist Rick Haney, includes more than a dozen different soil test values. These include standard macro- and micro-nutrients for plant consumption, but what’s different about the Haney test is that it also estimates nutrients for microbial consumption, focusing on how much carbon (C ) and nitrogen (N) is in the soil. Read more in this article from University of Minnesota Extension.

It Always Comes Back to the Land

May 6, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Rock Island Dispatch-Argus

Wayne Fredericks walks out into a cornfield on his northern Iowa farm and points out the first bits of spring growth of a cover crop shooting through the cornstalks. “We didn’t use cover crops years ago,” he says. “In fact, when I first started farming in 1973 … we didn’t treat the land very well.” Read more in this article from the Rock Island Dispatch Argus (Davenport, Iowa).

Much to Learn About Soil Microbes

May 6, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Aberdeen News

Results of a three-year soil health study focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi proves there is still much to learn about soil microbes. “This is the purpose of research,” explains Mike Lehman, soil microbiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Research Station (USDA-ARS) in Brookings, S.D. Read more in this article from Aberdeen News.