For many producers and rural communities, the summer of 2012 has been defined by a record drought.
From the early days of this disaster, USDA has taken action to help. We’ve streamlined our disaster designation process, provided easier access to farm credit, opened more conservation lands for emergency haying and grazing, and much more.
Meanwhile, we continue to convene regular meetings of White House Rural Council to coordinate the Federal response and identify every effort we can take to provide additional help and assistance.
For example, the Small Business Administration and National Credit Union Administration have worked to increase emergency lending for small businesses. The Department of Interior has opened more Federal land for grazing. The Department of Transportation has taken measures to get more trucks on the road in the relief effort. And the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to preserve navigation routes on drought-stricken waterways. Read more »
U.S. Winter Wheat Progress - Percent emerged September 30, 2012. Click to enlarge image.
Based on data since 1995, U.S. corn and soybean harvests are proceeding at a record pace. By September 30, 2012, more than one-half (54%) of the corn had been harvested, nearly three times the five-year average of 20%. During the preceding 17 years, the record amount of U.S. corn harvested by the end of September had been 35% in 2000. Similarly, 41% of the soybeans had been harvested by September 30. Prior to this year, the record-setting soybean harvest pace by September 30 had also been 35% in 2000. Read more »
As producers face an historic and ongoing drought today, President Obama and I are doing all we can to help farmers and ranchers mitigate its effects – while helping communities to overcome the economic challenges posed by the drought.
To carry out our work on behalf of communities and producers, USDA has relied on programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Parts of that law, including authorization of USDA disaster assistance for livestock producers, expired last year. Other aspects of the law expire on October 1st and over the next few months if Congress fails to act. Read more »
After hearing from many of you, we are extending the deadline to submit your apps for the Drought Code Sprint to Wednesday, October 24 at 5 p.m. ET apps using this form.
Do you have any questions about our data or would you like to learn more about our drought assistance in general? Let us know, we’d love to help as you start coding! Read more »
U.S Winter Wheat Progress - Percent Planted as of September 23, 2012
Visit www.usda.gov/drought for the latest information regarding USDA’s Drought Disaster response and assistance.
Based on data since 1995, U.S. corn and soybean harvests are proceeding at a record pace. By September 23, more than one-third (39%) of the corn had been harvested, three times the five-year average of 13%. During the preceding 17 years, the record amount of U.S. corn harvested by September 23 had been 24% in 2000. Similarly, more than one-fifth (22%) of the soybeans had been harvested by September 23. Prior to this year, the record-setting soybean harvest pace by September 23 had been 18% in 2000. Read more »
U.S. Pasture and Range Conditions as of September 16, 2012. Click to enlarge image.
The 2012 summer crop season is quickly winding down. By mid-September, more than three-quarters (76%) of the U.S. corn was fully mature and well over half (57%) of the soybeans were dropping leaves, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. More than one-quarter (26%) of the corn had already been harvested by September 16, a record-setting pace. As the growing season comes to an end, corn and soybean conditions (currently 50% and 36% very poor to poor, respectively) remain comparable to those observed during the 1988 drought. Read more »
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