Archive for March, 2015
USDA Extends ARC and PLC Deadlines
News: Farmers Have Until April 7 to Update Yields, Reallocate Base Acres, and Make Final Selections.
Make sure you’re following the rules before planting seed
A federal judge recently ruled that a major agricultural manufacturer may recover $360,000 from a Southeastern grower who planted seeds derived from the company’s genetically modified cotton without authorization.
USDA wants to change ‘actively engaged’ in farm operation rule
On March 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers.
U.S. Cotton: Quality Continues A Major Emphasis
Kevin Lynch, who is president of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association says, “In a continuing effort to enhance the image of U.S. cotton as being the world leader in quality, a move is under way to clearly identify bales of U.S. origin with a distinctive logo.”
97 percent of all U.S. farms are family-owned
Family-owned farms remain the backbone of the agriculture industry. The latest data come from the Census of Agriculture farm typology report and shines light on the question, “What is a family farm?”
Selling equities should be focus of 2015 cotton marketing plan
“Cotton producers need to focus on maximizing the sale of equities in their cotton to boost their returns,” says Joe Nicosia, Executive Vice President of Louis Dreyfus Commodities LLC, in part two of this video report.
Marketing loan program still paying off for U.S. cotton producers
Video Report:Joe Nicosia says, “U.S. cotton producers should be glad they decided to enact a program that would help them ship cotton rather than store it 30 years ago.”
Conservation Tillage Systems Threatened By Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
Southeastern growers know all too well the path of destruction left by glyphosate-resistant weeds. Now this scourge of farmers everywhere is threatening the advancement of conservation tillage.
North Carolina facing neonicotinoid-resistant thrips
“North Carolina now has neonicotinoid-resistant thrips; not a good thing for cotton producers in the state,” said Dr. Dominic Reisig, North Carolina State University Extension entomologist.
Look for stability when choosing a cotton variety
North Carolina is launching an on-farm variety testing program in cotton in 2015.