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| As farmers continued planting what USDA economists expect will be another record crop of corn and soybeans, Secretary Ann M. Veneman in May told a tele-news conference of other noteworthy developments in the agricultural economy. In early June, USDA released the 2002 agriculture census results, began increased surveillance of the nation's cowherd for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), and pressed new homeownership initiatives. |
As
an area farmer (right) looks on approvingly, Secretary Ann
M. Veneman center) and Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator
A.J. Yates officially open--for its ninth
season--USDA’s farmers market on June 4. Farmers from states
including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia sell fresh fruits and
vegetables, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, and more. The market--located
at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC--is open to USDA employees
and the public and runs every Friday until October 29. --Photo by Alice Welch |
Historic Time For Agriculture: "The farm economy is exceptionally strong. The trade picture is very bright and the safety net for producers is firmly and fully in place," Secretary Veneman told reporters in May. USDA analysts are currently predicting record crops of corn, soybeans, rice, and almonds. In addition the forecast of agricultural exports has been raised to $61.5 billion, ten percent of which comes from purchases by China. If realized this amount would surpass the previous export record set in 1996 of $60 billion.
Producers are also benefiting at this time from record high prices.
"Strong markets and improved financial health span most of the farm
economy today both for crops and livestock. In fact, we now expect sales
of farm
products this year to top a record $215 billion," Veneman said.
Despite interruptions in beef and poultry trade due to animal disease worries, the livestock sector is experiencing continued growth, and record production and prices are likely. Dairy farmers are receiving record-breaking prices for milk and "next year we may also have record cattle prices, broiler production, and pork exports," she said.
Veneman said the health of today's farm economy clearly underscores the importance of exports to our agricultural industry. Trade is helping more and more farmers' income to be from the marketplace. Trade is also benefiting our rural communities. Export sales now support 900,000 jobs, 40 percent of which are in rural areas.
2002 Census Of Agriculture: Half of America's farms and ranches have Internet access and nearly 39 percent report using a computer for their farm business, according to new data released from the 2002 Census of Agriculture.
"These data illustrate the importance of the eGovernment initiatives
being implemented by USDA," said Secretary Veneman. "We are
making more information available to farmers and ranchers through the
Internet and helping to provide broadband access to rural communities.
To date, this administration has provided
over $253 million in broadband loans for rural areas."
Conducted every five years by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the census of agriculture attempts to survey every agricultural operator in America through the mail, by telephone, or personal interview. Data represent all agricultural operations, defined as any place, which sold or normally would have sold more than $1,000 worth of agricultural products during the census year.
Highlights of the agriculture census include:
- The top five states in value of agricultural products sold are California ($25.7 billion), Texas ($14.1 billion), Iowa ($12.3 billion), Nebraska ($9.7 billion), and Kansas ($8.7 billion).
- Ninety percent of farms are operated by an individual or family. The number of corporate farms declined by 18.4 percent from 1997 to 2002, which reverses a trend that has continued without interruption since 1974.
- Direct sales to consumers through farmers markets and other venues increased 37 percent from 1997, totaling $812.2 million in 2002.
- The value of organic commodities reached $392.8 million in 2002.
- The estimated market value of land and buildings on the Nation's farms rose 24 percent from 1997 to 2002.
- The average age of principal farm or ranch operators was 55.3-years-old compared to 54-years-old in 1997. But, for the first time, NASS collected information about more than one operator on the same farm. Results showed an average age of second operators at 49.4-years-old and third operators at 41.9-years-old. For more information go to: www.usda.gov/nass/
BSE Surveillance:
On June 1, results of BSE tests from the enhanced surveillance program
began to be posted on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
website. Under the program, using statistically geographic modeling, sampling
some 268,000 animals will allow for the detection of BSE at a rate of
1 positive
in 10 million adult cattle with a 99 percent confidence level. In other
words, the enhanced program could detect BSE even if there were only five
positive animals in the entire country.
Homeownership Achievements: In Little Rock, Ark., Sacramento, Calif., and Kennett Square, Pa., Secretary Veneman visited with families who have participated in the Rural Development self-help housing program and highlighted President George W. Bush's commitment to increasing minority homeownership by 5.5 million by 2010. USDA Rural Development programs are an important part of this initiative. In the past three years, nearly $13 billion has been provided through USDA programs to help more than 188,000 families buy or make improvements to their homes.
While 50 percent of current participants are minorities, USDA is pledging to increase participants by 10 percent to help meet the President's goal. "We are making progress," Veneman said. "So far this year we have provided 5,100 new homeownership loans to minorities in America." •