The National Farmers Union (NFU) has expressed approval for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) release of an interim rule concerning Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks. The NFU sees this development as a positive step for family farmers.
NFU President Rob Larew stated, "Any federal climate-smart agriculture incentives must consider the real-world and financial impacts on farmers. USDA incorporated feedback from NFU and others in this interim rule to ensure biofuels programs create practical, flexible and farmer-focused market opportunities."
The newly published rule allows for the unbundling of climate-smart agriculture practices. This change enables farmers to implement practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and advanced nutrient management either individually or in combination. Additionally, the introduction of the USDA Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (FD-CIC) aims to quantify farm-level carbon intensity on a county-by-county basis, enhancing the credibility of these practices.
Larew further commented, "NFU is eager to further review the rule and provide comments during the 60-day public comment period to ensure it serves family farmers and ranchers effectively. We look forward to working with the new USDA leadership to strengthen these opportunities for farmers."
