Dry Beans Sought in Section 32 Purchase

/in , , /by
USDA invites offers to sell dry edible beans under Section 32 pursuant to the AMS Master Solicitation for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Bids are due Thursday, September 17 by 1:00 p.m. CST. View the solicitation.

NDSU CREC Holds Virtual Row Crop Program

/in , , /by
North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) held its annual row crop program virtually this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-recorded videos are available at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/CarringtonREC/videos.
 
Topics and NDSU speakers for this year’s program are:
  • Incorporating cover crops into corn – Mike Ostlie, CREC research agronomist
  • Impact of nitrogen fertilizer rates on corn and dollar return in low- and high-yield environments – Jasper Teboh, CREC soil scientist
  • Dry bean breeding program and variety review – Juan Osorno, dry bean breeder
  • Black, navy and pinto bean plant populations and row spacings – Endres
  • Pollinator potential impact on dry beans – Savannah Adams, graduate student
  • Optimizing fungicide spray droplet size for improved management of white mold in dry beans – Michael Wunsch, CREC plant pathologist
  • Soybean cyst nematode considerations for dry beans and soybeans – Sam Markell, Extension plant pathologist
  • Considerations for soybean variety selection – Hans Kandel, Extension agronomist
  • Prospects for managing Sclerotinia head rot in sunflowers – Wunsch
  • Susceptibility of sunflowers to Sclerotinia head rot relative to growth stage – Wunsch

Thorsgard Retires

/in , /by
Grady Thorsgard, a longtime Northarvest Bean Growers Association and Dry Bean Council member, was recognized at his final board meeting by Northarvest President David Dickson. The plaque reads, “In recognition of your service as District II Council member, Ag Coalition representative for the North Dakota Dry Bean Council and representative on committees for the Northarvest Bean Growers Association, 2011-2020.” Thank you Grady for your years of service to the Northarvest dry bean industry!
northarvest bean day

Dry Beans Purchased

/in , /by
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchased dry edible beans for distribution to the child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs for Fiscal Year 2020. A variety of Great Northern, pinto, baby lima, blackeye, garbanzo, light red kidney beans and lentils were purchased, totaling over $4.9 million. View the purchase.

RMA Extends Deadlines, Defers Interest Accrual Date

/in , , /by
The USDA Risk Management Agency is allowing crop insurance providers to extend deadlines for premium and administration fee payments. This allows the providers to defer interest accrual for these payments.
 
“USDA recognizes farmers and ranchers have been severely affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic this year and to help ease the burden on these folks, we are continuing to extend flexibility for producers,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The flexibilities announced today support health and safety while also ensuring the Federal crop insurance program continues to serve as a vital risk management tool.”
 

Residents Receiving Unknown Seeds from China

/in , /by
Residents in North Dakota and Minnesota are receiving unsolicited packages containing seeds from China. Agriculture officials in other states are also reporting similar instances, and the motive behind this action is not known at the time. The foreign seeds may be invasive and introduce diseases harmful to plants and/or livestock. Anyone receiving unsolicited seeds in the mail should retain the seeds and packing, including the mailing label. Then, the State Department of Agriculture should be contacted to report the incident and receive further instruction.

Save the Date: BeanCon21

/in , , /by
The U.S. Dry Bean Council is excited to announce the inaugural, global conference focused entirely on dry beans: BeanCon21. This event will bring together dry bean buyers and stakeholders from all over the world March 2-4, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants at the event will hear from U.S. growers, global influencers, food service experts, corporate leaders, government officials and more. Get more information here.

Flexibility for Producers Filing ‘Notice of Loss’ for Failed, PP Acres

/in , /by
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops or crops that were prevented from planting because of extreme weather events. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is adding these flexibilities for Notice of Loss on both insured and uninsured crops to enable Service Centers to best assist producers.  
 
“With many program deadlines approaching, our Service Centers are working hard to accommodate as many producer appointments as possible,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “By providing flexibilities to our Notice of Loss policy, we can ensure we provide the best customer service.”
 
Producers who miss FSA’s July 15 acreage reporting deadline will not face a late filing fee if filed within a month of the deadline. For questions, please contact your FSA county office. To locate your FSA county office at your Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

Complete Crop Acreage Reports

/in , /by
Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after spring planting should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the applicable deadline. July 15 is a major deadline for most crops, but acreage reporting deadlines vary by county and by crop. Contact your FSA county office for acreage reporting deadlines that are specific to your county.
 
“The first step to become eligible for many USDA programs is to file an accurate crop acreage report,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “To file your acreage report, call your local FSA office to make an appointment. Your local staff is standing by to help you.”
           
Due to the pandemic, FSA has implemented acreage reporting flexibilities. FSA can work with producers to file timely acreage reports by phone, email, online tools and virtual meetings. Some FSA offices are open for in-person appointments, but you must call first to make an appointment. For questions, please call your FSA county office.

CFAP Applications Now Being Accepted Online

/in , /by
The USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting Coronavirus Food Assistance Program applications via an online portal. The agency will also use commercial document storage and e-signature solutions so farmers and ranchers can complete CFAP applications from home. Producers who wish to apply will need an e-Authentication account and can do so at farmers.gov.