Latest news with #EnvironmentalQualityIncentiveProgram
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Farmers to Get First of $30 Billion Tranche for Downturn
(Bloomberg) -- American farmers will soon start receiving the first tranche of $30 billion in funding approved by Congress to fight a downturn in the markets, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Cuts to Section 8 Housing Assistance Loom Amid HUD Uncertainty Remembering the Landscape Architect Who Embraced the City How Upzoning in Cambridge Broke the YIMBY Mold NYC Office Buildings See Resurgence as Investors Pile Into Bonds Hong Kong Joins Global Stadium Race With New $4 Billion Sports Park Speaking at the Commodity Classic event in Denver, Rollins said that the initial $10 billion in assistance should start moving in the next few weeks. She asked her team to 'think creatively' about how to make the application process for the funds move quicker. Farm income has been under pressure for the last three years after crop prices declined, while the cost of seeds, fertilizer and equipment kept going up. The US, known for being a global agriculture powerhouse, is also losing share in overseas markets and has never imported so much food. 'The state of the ag economy, especially for row-crop producers, is perhaps the worst it's been in 100 years,' Rollins said on Sunday. 'The last thing we want to be is the bottleneck to get the funds that are so desperately needed.' The $30 billion in funding was approved in December, still under President Joe Biden, with Congress giving the US Department of Agriculture 90 days to start distributing the first tranche of assistance, Rollins said. But growers had become concerned that the agency's review of a number of activities would slow down payments ahead of the planting season. Rollins also said the USDA has completed a review of programs including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, and will be releasing funds to all who participated in the programs. 'Right now is a very expensive time on the farm,' said Illinois soy and corn grower Ryan Frieders, who said the aid will help cover expenses like seeds before cash from the fall harvest comes in. 'It's going to provide immediate relief.' The additional money will help US farmers battle a global oversupply, with big crops expected in South America. Concern about tariffs is also spooking traders. After all, Mexico is the biggest market for American products corn and pork. Soybean for May delivery tumbled as much as 1.7% to $10.08 a bushel, while corn for the same period tumbled as much as 2.9% to $4.56 a bushel. Both reached the lowest value for a most-active contract since Jan. 10. South American production is 'set to overwhelm the global marketplace regardless of any localized crop concerns, and the trade is reflecting that export issue right now,' Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist at StoneX, said in a report on Monday. 'Lingering tariff talk just adds more fuel to that fire.' During a press conference earlier on Sunday, Rollins said she has a strong relationship with new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of pesticides and vaccines. 'Perhaps I can spend a little time making sure that he understands that some of the things maybe that he has been told, or believed, or has read isn't entirely accurate,' Rollins said. Pesticides and other crop inputs help 'ensure that we are able to continue to feed America and, frankly, to feed the world,' she added. --With assistance from Isis Almeida. (Updates with farmer quote, commodity prices from seventh paragraph.) Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? The US Is Withdrawing From Global Health at a Dangerous Time Trump's SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America Snack Makers Are Removing Fake Colors From Processed Foods ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Ag Briefs: USDA says it will release $20M in frozen farmer funds
Ag Briefs: USDA says it will release $20M in frozen farmer funds MADISON, Wisconsin Butter-themed and blackout license plates? Tony Evers pitches the idea in state budget. MADISON — Among the hundreds of ideas Democratic Gov. Tony Evers pitched in his two-year budget plan Feb. 18 are butter-themed and 'blackout' license plates for Wisconsin motorists. While no mock-ups of the designs were available Tuesday, administration officials said the plate that resembles butter would have a yellow background. "Blackout" plates, with a black background and simple white lettering, have exploded in popularity in other states, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. If the idea advances through the months-long budget writing process, the plates would be added to the 60-some specialty license plates currently available in Wisconsin, which typically cost $15 per year on top of regular registration fees. WASHINGTON USDA says it will release $20 million of frozen farmer funds The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release approximately $20 million in funding for previously approved contracts that had been frozen by the Trump administration's push to overhaul the federal government, the agency said late on Thursday. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the released funds will go to honor contracts that were already made directly with farmers, Reuters reported. The USDA is releasing $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, it said. Some of the money the USDA has frozen is tied to environmental conservation programs funded by former President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which included about $19.5 billion for farm programs over 10 years. Milwaukee, Wisconsin How much do Wisconsin consumers spend on groceries? Wisconsinites must spend 2% of their monthly household income to buy common grocery items, WalletHub reported. As of 2023, the median household income Wisconsin was $75,670, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That means Wisconsinites would spend $1531.40 annually, or about $126 monthly, to buy common grocery items at least once a month, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. In actuality, people likely grocery shop more than once a month, meaning this bill would be higher. ISTANBUL, Turkey Turkey to export 15,000 tonnes of eggs to US amid bird flu disruptions Turkey has begun exporting around 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the U.S., where an ongoing outbreak of bird flu disrupted supply, sent prices soaring and led to talks with other producers, a leading sector official said on Wednesday. Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkey, told Reuters that shipments began this month and will continue until July. 15,000 tonnes of eggs is equivalent to 700 containers. An outbreak of bird flu in poultry that began in 2022 has wiped out about 160 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, contributing to egg shortages. Faced with supply constraints, U.S. firms have sought alternative import markets, leading to negotiations with Turkish producers, Afyon said. BRUSSELS EU plans to restrict imported crops treated with banned pesticides The European Union is planning tougher restrictions on imported crops treated with pesticides banned in Europe, a draft European Commission document showed, a move that would impact suppliers including the U.S. The draft of the EU's "Vision for Agriculture and Food" policy document would take a tougher line on imports to ensure a fair level playing field for Europe's farmers. "The Commission will pursue a stronger alignment of production standards applied to imported products, notably on pesticides and animal welfare," said the draft. The EU move could block imports of U.S. soybeans and other foods treated with pesticides not used by European farmers, Reuters reported. OTTAWA, Canada Canada purchases 500,000 doses of GSK's vaccine for bird flu The Government of Canada has secured an initial supply of 500,000 doses of GSK's bird flu vaccine to protect individuals most at risk of being exposed to the virus through animals infected with avian influenza, according to Reuters. The country reported its first case of bird flu in a person in November. "The proactive steps we are taking, including securing vaccine doses, reflect our commitment to being prepared for any potential public health threats," said Minister of Health Mark Holland. WASHINGTON US gives conditional nod to Zoetis' bird flu vaccine for poultry The USDA has given a conditional approval to Zoetis to use its bird flu vaccine in poultry, the animal healthcare company said on Friday. Bird flu has infected nearly 70 people in the U.S., with one death, since last April. Most of those infections have been among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cows. Zoetis, which deals with vaccines, medicines as well as diagnostic solutions for animals, said the conditional license was granted based on safety and reasonable expectation of efficacy, Reuters reported. A conditional approval, called a conditional license, is used for emergencies, limited market availability, or other special circumstance and is issued for a finite period of time. Last month, USDA said it would rebuild a stockpile of bird flu vaccines for poultry that match the strain of the virus circulating in commercial flocks and wild birds. Separately, Moderna is developing a bird flu vaccine for humans and has received about $766 million from the U.S. government for its advancement. WASHINGTON Listeria outbreak that killed 11 linked to supplement shakes used at nursing homes, hospitals Frozen nutrition shakes sold to long-term care facilities and other care institutions have been linked to a deadly listeria outbreak, prompting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce a nationwide recall, USA TODAY reported. The FDA announced its investigation into the outbreak Friday, saying it is working with the CDC and local agencies to track the multistate rash of illnesses, many of which occurred in patients of hospitals and nursing homes. The manufacturer also issued a voluntary recall notice for the impacted products - frozen supplemental meal shakes sold under the brand names Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial. As of Feb. 21, the FDA was aware of 38 illnesses linked to the outbreak across 21 states. Of the 38, all but one were hospitalized and 11 died. Nearly 90% of sick people reported living in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized before becoming sick. DES MOINES, Iowa U.S. Agriculture Secretary returns to Iowa for new role. Former Iowa governor and two-time U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will become the CEO of the Des Moines-based World Food Prize Foundation, the organization announced Tuesday. Vilsack takes the newly created role effective March 1, the Des Moines Register reported. Considered the Nobel prize of agriculture, the $500,000 World Food Prize annually recognizes innovators and advocates for their efforts in addressing food insecurity.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USDA lifts Trump freeze on some funding owed to farmers, vast majority remains on hold
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will release about $20 million in funding for previously approved contracts that had been frozen by the Trump administration's push to overhaul the federal government. The sum represents a tiny sliver of program funding the USDA suspended after the White House's broad freeze of federal loans and grants last month. Although the administration rescinded the memo ordering the freeze and it has been blocked in court, a federal judge has said the government was still withholding funds. About 1,000 Iowa and Midwest farmers said this month they're owed $11 million for conservation work they completed last year. The bulk of the money — $9.6 million — is owed to Iowa farmers, the Iowa Soybean Association said. The Trump administration's actions, part of a broad government review now underway, also have left in doubt another $86 million promised Iowa and Midwest farmers under a five-year "climate smart" agriculture initiative approved during the Biden administration. Practical Farmers of Iowa said Friday the group is hopeful USDA will pay farmers for planting cover crops and other conservation work they've completed. But it's still unclear when the federal government will pay the group for its work, a commitment that's supposed to reach about $4.4 million this year. Meanwhile, the Conservation Districts of Iowa, a nonprofit that provides farmers with technical expertise on conservation efforts statewide, has laid off 38 employees because of the spending freeze. As of Friday, the group, which relies on three different grants from the USDA, had not received word that its money had been restored, according to Dien Judge, executive director of the organization. "Our money gets direct deposited. I've been checking our accounts several times a day to see if the money is there because I really would love to bring our people back," Judge said. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the $20 million in released funds will go to honor contracts that were made directly with farmers, according to a statement on the USDA's website. The contracts were reached under the the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the statement said. Some of the money the USDA has frozen is tied to environmental conservation programs funded by former President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which included about $19.5 billion for farm programs over 10 years. 'While USDA fires its staff and deliberates whether or not to honor its own legal contracts, tens of thousands of farmers are being left in limbo," Mike Lavender, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's policy director, said in a statement Friday. The amount the USDA is releasing represents roughly 1% of the Inflation Reduction Act funding, he said. "From coast to coast, countless farmers are waking up today still uncertain of how they'll make ends meet or whether USDA will honor its word," he said, adding that the USDA should "urgently provide specificity and clarity" on the money's release and swiftly honor its legal obligations to farmers and organizations." In her statement, Rollins said the agency is still reviewing Inflation Reduction Act funding. The agency's review of the grants and contracts backed by those funds is part of its sweeping review of more than 400 USDA programs. The Trump administration has said the funding for programs helping farmers would not be affected in the government overhaul. But the impact has been immediate and wide-ranging, holding up cash assistance for ranchers to fix cattle watering systems and to help corn growers plant cover crops to curb wind erosion. Staff writer Donnelle Eller and Kevin Baskins contributed to this article, which also contains material from Reuters. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: USDA to release $20 million to farmers amid Trump funding freeze
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USDA says it will release $20 million of frozen farmer funds
By P.J. Huffstutter CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release approximately $20 million in funding for previously approved contracts that had been frozen by the Trump administration's push to overhaul the federal government, the agency said late on Thursday. The sum represents a tiny sliver of program funding the USDA suspended after the White House's broad freeze of federal loans and grants last month. Although the administration rescinded the memo ordering the freeze and it has been blocked in court, a U.S. judge has said the government was still withholding funds. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the released funds will go to honor contracts that were already made directly with farmers, according to a statement on the USDA's website. The USDA is releasing $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, it said. Some of the money the USDA has frozen is tied to environmental conservation programs funded by former President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which included about $19.5 billion for farm programs over 10 years. In the statement, Rollins said the agency is still reviewing IRA funding that had been distributed during the Biden administration. The agency's review of IRA-backed grants and contracts is part of its sweeping review of more than 400 USDA programs. The Trump administration has said the funding for programs helping farmers would not be affected in the government overhaul. But the impact has been immediate and wide-ranging, holding up cash assistance for ranchers to fix cattle watering systems and to help corn growers plant cover crops to curb wind erosion.
Reuters
21-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
USDA says it will release $20 million of frozen farmer funds
CHICAGO, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release approximately $20 million in funding for previously approved contracts that had been frozen by the Trump administration's push to overhaul the federal government, the agency said late on Thursday. The sum represents a tiny sliver of program funding the USDA suspended after the White House's broad freeze of federal loans and grants last month. Although the administration rescinded the memo ordering the freeze and it has been blocked in court, a U.S. judge has said the government was still withholding funds. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the released funds will go to honor contracts that were already made directly with farmers, according to a statement on the USDA's website, opens new tab. The USDA is releasing $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, it said. Some of the money the USDA has frozen is tied to environmental conservation programs funded by former President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which included about $19.5 billion for farm programs over 10 years. In the statement, Rollins said the agency is still reviewing IRA funding that had been distributed during the Biden administration. The agency's review of IRA-backed grants and contracts is part of its sweeping review of more than 400 USDA programs. The Trump administration has said, opens new tab the funding for programs helping farmers would not be affected in the government overhaul. But the impact has been immediate and wide-ranging, holding up cash assistance for ranchers to fix cattle watering systems and to help corn growers plant cover crops to curb wind erosion.
