USDA

Farmers shaking hands in field — To see if you qualify for USDA's new Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program, visit USDA.

USDA Launches Program to Address Workforce Challenges for Farmers, Ranchers

September 22, 2023

Ag employers can begin applying for a new pilot program that aims to help address workforce needs, promote a safe work environment, and support expansion of lawful migration pathways for workers.

Field day participants inspect an ag drone — A session on drones was held at the annual Water and Crops Field Day at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, West Central Research Extension and Education Center in North Platte. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Nebraska Extension Center Preps Ag Producers for Climate-smart Practices

September 19, 2023

The 2023 Water and Crops Field Day featured seminars and panels on crop and livestock production practices that align with USDA's new climate-smart agriculture initiatives.

Soybean field — U.S. soybean acreage is down 4% from last year, and corn acreage is up 7%. View Nebraska's planted acreage in this report.

USDA Forecasts U.S. Corn Production Up, Soybean and Cotton Production Down from 2022

September 14, 2023

According to NASS's Sept. 12 report, U.S. soybean production is down 3% in 2023, while corn production is up 10%.

Dry bean field in Nebraska Panhandle — Dry edible bean field in western Nebraska. (Photo by Gary Stone)

USDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Awarded to Nebraska

September 1, 2023

Some of the projects to be funded by the grant feature research on mitigating adverse effects of diseases in dry beans, evaluating the effectiveness of tomato varieties, and the development of new irrigation technology.

Tractor in field at sunset — Since August 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.15 billion in assistance to more than 20,000 distressed borrowers as a part of an ongoing effort to keep borrowers farming and remove obstacles that currently prevent many borrowers from returning to their land.

USDA to Provide Additional Financial Assistance to Farm Loan Borrowers Facing Risk

August 24, 2023

The additional funds are expected to aid another 3,500 eligible Farm Loan Program borrowers through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Oat field — Results of the small grains survey will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on Friday, Sept. 29.

USDA NASS to Collect 2023 Small Grain Production and Stocks Data

August 18, 2023

During the first two weeks of September, Nebraska growers of wheat, oats, barley and rye will be asked to share their acreage, yield and production data, to be utilized by USDA for administering federal farm programs.

Aerial farm photo — Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, is necessary to participate in many USDA programs.

USDA Reminds Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports by July 17, Use New Online Map Features on Farmers.gov

July 5, 2023

Producers can access their FSA farm records, maps and common land units through the farmers.gov portal to help expedite the crop acreage reporting process.

UNL Extension Partners with USDA Organic Transition Program

June 29, 2023

UNL faculty members are currently developing a new online ag course, producer guide and website to help Nebraskans who want to transition to organic production.

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