Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 6 of 6
If you are a farmer or rancher, there has never been a better time to apply for popular conservation programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Nebraska, the deadline to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program is Nov. 17. For years, CSP and EQIP have provided financial and technical assistance to implement beneficial practices on agricultural lands, like cover crops and rotational grazing. In 2022 alone, 1.7...
In the years ahead, U.S. agriculture as we know it will be shaped by transitions. Recent figures show that 34% of our nation's farmers and ranchers are above the age of 65, and only 8% are younger than 35. Supporting the next generation of agricultural producers will be crucial to keeping people on the land, ensuring rural communities are vibrant and strengthening our food system. For beginning farmers and ranchers to be successful, they must be able to manage risk. One of the tools available...
If you are a farmer or live in a rural area, you know that planting season is in full swing. Progress rates are well ahead of last year. On May 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that 87% of Nebraska’s expected corn and 95% of Iowa’s, has been planted. Soybeans and other crops are not far behind. Each year, the first farmers planting are those using conventional production methods. Weeks will pass before organic farmers follow suit. Organic corn, for example, is typically pla...
Across the country, thousands of farmers grow small grains such as wheat, oats, barley and rye. Some choose to do so for conservation benefits, while others aim to diversify their income streams, to take advantage of local markets or meet the requirements of organic certification. But, as with growing any crop, there are associated risks. While farmers who grow crops like corn and soybeans often purchase federal crop insurance to manage risk, far less insure their small grains. Studies also...
Large or small, all farms and ranches are important to our country’s agriculture sector. Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts the Census of Agriculture. The goal is to get a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Information collected includes land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. The census sets out to capture information for ope...
For thousands of farming operations across the country, small grains provide big benefits. Producers growing small grains cite reasons ranging from conservation purposes to the requirements of organic certification to diversification of income streams to taking advantage of local markets. However, while small grains have demonstrable benefits, as with all crops they come with associated risks. In the coming months, farmers across the country will contact their agents to purchase federal crop ins...
