Sequester Cuts Means Less Ag Reports

Mar 13, 2013

USDA Says Some Agricultural Reports to be Suspended

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service announced that some of its agricultural reports won’t be issued this year due to the $85 billion sweeping federal budget cuts that are set to take place.
The reports that will be suspended include at least 10 agricultural reports, which range from milk, chickpeas, cattle, catfish and more.
The dairy groups seem to be the most vocal against the decision as the USDA reports on milk production estimates are considered one of the highest profile reports to be cut. These reports are used in the decision making process for milk marketing. It seems that there are no other entities that produce this type of data used in the dairy industry.
The USDA posted notice of the changes on its website on Tuesday, noting that the decision was not made lightly but was necessary given the agency’s fiscal constraints.

The full list of suspended USDA reports includes:

•All Catfish and Trout Reports including Catfish Feed Deliveries and Catfish Processing
•July Cattle Report
•Potato Stocks Reports
•All Non-Citrus Fruit, Nut and Vegetable Forecasts and Estimates
•June Rice Stocks Report
•All Hops and Hops Stocks Estimates
•Mink Report
•Milk Production Reports including Production, Disposition and Income
•June on- and off-farm stocks for Austrian Winter Peas, Chickpeas, Dry Peas and Lentils
•July acreage forecasts for Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas and Lentils

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.