Drought taking a lasting toll on ranchers and western dairies
The drought stretching through much of the Great Plains is pushing cattle ranchers and dairy farmers to the breaking point – and sometimes past it – as producers scramble to…
Read More...USDA Announces Initial Supporters of Sustainable Productivity Growth Coalition
USDA Secretary Vilsack announced that more than 50 organizations and countries have officially declared their support for the Sustainable Productivity Growth for Food Security and Resource Conservation (SPG) Coalition, which…
Read More...Biden signs bill providing $10B to cover wide range of ag disasters
A stopgap-funding bill that will keep the government operating this fall includes a $10 billion expansion in agricultural disaster aid and temporarily extends authority for USDA’s livestock price reporting system.
Read More...USDA Announces $3 Billion Investment in Agriculture, Animal Health, and Nutrition; Unveils New Climate Partnership Initiative
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers. These include assistance to address challenges and costs associated with drought, animal…
Read More...Why Defining Agricultural Terms is Critical
How do you define and measure regenerative agriculture practices? One organization suggests taking an outcome-based approach.
Read More...From Western Slope to Eastern Plains, Colorado agriculture under pressure to adapt to warming world
Paul Bruchez, a fifth generation farmer and rancher, acknowledges the fight farmers and ranchers are in could determine not just the future of his family’s ranch, but the future of…
Read More...CO2 release test can help assess soil health
American scientists have found that measuring the amount of carbon dioxide that is released after wetting a sample of dry soil and letting it sit for one day is a…
Read More...‘It’s not the cow, it’s the how’: why a long-time vegetarian became beef’s biggest champion
Nicolette Hahn Niman was an environmental lawyer who became a cattle rancher, and didn’t eat meat for 33 years. For both the ecosystem and human health, she argues, it’s how…
Read More...Climate-friendly ag practices need $30 billion, Democrats told
More than 60 groups are urging Democratic congressional leaders to prioritize climate-friendly agriculture, food systems and equity in their $3.5 trillion domestic spending package. About $89 billion in the budget…
Read More...‘The Worst Thing I Can Ever Remember’: How Drought Is Crushing Ranchers
A lack of snow last winter and almost no spring rain have created the driest conditions in generations. Ranchers are being forced to sell off portions of herds they have…
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