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Glossary of Agricultural Production, Programs and Policy

4th Edition

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E-commerce

The sale of products, exchange of information, transfer of funds, or delivery of goods electronically. Typically, business-to-business communications use electronic data interchange (EDI) over private networks or the world wide web, while business to consumer transactions use the world wide web. See Rural electronic commerce extension program.
See Also:
Rural electronic commerce extension program.

E. coli; E. coli 0157:H7

A rare strainEscherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7 is atoxin-producing bacteria, living in the intestines of animals, that can contaminate food during the slaughter process. If ingested by humans, E. coli 0157:H7 can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, kidney damage, and even death. E. coli O157:H7 is easily destroyed by thorough cooking. See Foodborne illness(es).
See Also:
Foodborne illness(es). process. toxin.

ELS cotton

See Extra-long staple (ELS) cotton.
See Also:
Extra-long staple.

EZ/EC

See Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC).
See Also:
Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC).

EZ/EC eligibility

Under the EZ/EC grant program, eligible Rural Empowerment Zones and Rural Enterprise Communities must (a) have a maximum population of 30,000; (b) have pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress; (c) not exceed 1,000 square miles in total land area; (d) have demonstrated a poverty rate that is not less than 20 percent in each census tract or census block numbering area (BNA) and 25 percent in 90 percent of the census tracts and BNAs within the nominated area; (d) be located entirely within no more than three contiguous states (if it is located in more than one state, the area must have one continuous boundary; if located in only one state, the area may consist of no more than three noncontiguous parcels; (e) show that each nominated parcel independently meets the two poverty-rate requirements; (f) be located entirely within the jurisdiction of the unit or units of general local government making the nomination; and (g) not include any portion of a central business district as defined in the Census of Retail Trade, unless the poverty rate for each Census tract is at least 35 percent.
See Also:
eligible. EZ/EC. general distress. grant. pervasive poverty. program.

Ear marks

See Ear notching.
See Also:
Ear notching.

Ear notching

A notch or series of notches made in the ear as a means of identification.

Ear tag(s)

Method of animal identification by which a numbered, lettered, and/or colored tag is placed in the ear.
See Also:
animal identification.

Early soil

Soil that is well drained, warms quickly in the spring, and is suitable for early planting.
See Also:
Soil.

Earmarked funds

See Smith-Lever 3(d) funds.

Earmarked grant(s)

See Special research grant(s).
See Also:
Special research grant(s).

Easement(s) (conservation)

See Conservation easement(s).
See Also:
Conservation easement(s).

Ecological farming

See Biological farming.
See Also:
Biological farming.

Economic Action Programs

Forest Service programs that help rural communities and businesses dependent on forest-based resources become sustainable and self-sufficient. These programs include the Rural Community Assistance programs, the Forest Products Conservation and Recycling program, and the Market Development and Expansion program.
See Also:
Forest Products Conservation and Recycling program. Market Development and Expansion program. Rural Community Assistance programs. sustainable.

Economic Research Service (ERS)

The USDA agency responsible for economic data and analyses and social science information needed to develop, administer, and evaluate food and agricultural policy and programs, as well as some other rural policies and programs. The ERS is divided into six divisions: commercial agriculture, food and consumer economics, information services, natural resources and environment, energy and new uses, and rural economy.
See Also:
resources. rural.

Economic union

Occurs when countries agree to coordinate economic policies such as interest rates, stable exchange rates, common policies on inflation, and ultimately a single currency. Additional policy coordination may be sought in coordinated education, workforce training, unemployment benefits, pensions, health care, and other services.

Economies (diseconomies) of scale (size)

The reduction in per-unit cost of production associated with an increase in optimal size of operation usually resulting from specialization, division of labor, and technology. Diseconomies involve an increase in per-unit cost of production associated with nonoptimal growth in size resulting from inadequate management or other factors.
See Also:
technology.

Ecosystem(s)

Generally, any complex of living organisms interwoven with their environment.

Edema

See Stocking up.
See Also:
Stocking up.

Edible molasses

Molasses that is not to be further refined or improved in quality, and that is to be distributed, either directly or in molasses-containing products, for human consumption.
See Also:
Molasses.

Edible offal(s)

Those edible parts or organs of animals, other than fats, that are usually separated in the course of the preparation of the carcasses at slaughterhouses.

Edible oils

Vegetable oils, including olive oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil (sun oil), peanut oil, sesame oil, and animal shortenings.
See Also:
cottonseed. sesame. sun oil. sunflower.

Edward R. Madigan Agricultural Export Excellence Award

A USDA award to recognize those who have substantially encouraged entrepreneurial efforts in the food and agricultural sector for advancing U.S. agricultural exports.

Effective (farm marketing) quota

For each quota-holding producer of tobacco, the adjustment of the national basic quota, with previous undermarketings and overmarketings, to establish the amount each grower may market without penalty.
See Also:
grower. market. national basic quota. producer. quota. tobacco.

Effective financing statement

Under 7 U.S.C. §§ 1631, a statement that (a) is an original or reproduced copy of the statement, or in the case of a state that allows the electronic filing of financing statements without the signature of the debtor, is an electronically reproduced copy of the statement; (b) other than in the case of an electronically reproduced copy of the statement, is signed, authorized, or otherwise authenticated by the debtor, and filed with the Secretary of State of a state by the secured party; (c) contains the name and address of the secured party, the name and address of the person indebted to the secured party; the social security number of the debtor, or in the case of a debtor doing business other than as an individual, the Internal Revenue Service taxpayer identification number of such debtor; and a description of the farm products subject to the security interest created by the debtor, including the amount of such products where applicable, and the name of each county or parish in which the farm products are produced or located.
See Also:
farm. secured party. security interest.

Effective interest rate

The calculated interest rate that may take into account stock, fees, and compounding; in contrast to a quoted rate of interest.

Effective loan rate

See Announced loan rate.
See Also:
Announced loan rate.

Effective neutralizing material

A measure of the effectiveness of agricultural limestone. The effectiveness of the limestone will vary depending on the fineness of the grind and the purity of the product.

Effective price

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1104), for purposes of calculating counter-cyclical payments, the higher of the national average market price during the marketing year for a covered commodity or the national average loan rate for a marketing assistance loan for that covered commodity and peanuts.
See Also:
covered commodity. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. marketing assistance loan. marketing year. national average loan rate. national average market price.

Effluent

(1) Raw, partially, or completely treated water or some other liquid flowing from a reservoir, basin, treatment plant, or industrial process. (2) Discharged wastewater such as the treated wastes from municipal sewage plants, brine wastewater from desalting operations, and coolant waters from a nuclear power plant. (3) Treated or untreated liquid waste material that is discharged into the environment from a point source.
See Also:
point source. process. wastewater.

Effluent limitations guideline (ELG)

Federal and state guidelines on the restrictions on quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents that are discharged from point sources into surface waters.

Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (P. L. 91-597) (21 U.S.C. §§ 1031 et seq.)

Signed into law Dec. 29, 1970. The Act provides for the mandatory continuous inspection of the processing of liquid, frozen, and dried egg products. From 1970 until 1995, the Poultry Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service inspected egg products to ensure they were wholesome, otherwise not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged to protect the health and welfare of consumers. On May 28, 1995, the Food Safety and Inspection Service became responsible for the inspection of egg products when elements of various USDA agencies were combined into one food safety agency. FSIS inspects all egg products, with the exception of those products exempted under the Act, that are used by food manufacturers, food service, institutions, and retail markets. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for the inspection of egg substitutes, imitation eggs, and similar products that are exempted from continuous inspection under the EPIA.
See Also:
adulterated. Agricultural Marketing Service. continuous inspection. egg products. Food and Drug Administration. Food Safety and Inspection Service. inspection. Poultry. processing.

Egg Safety Action Plan

An initiative to cut in half by 2005 the number of salmonella enterititis (SE) illnesses attributed to eggs. The plan asks that all egg producers practice good sanitation, test eggs for SE, and divert infected eggs away from consumers. It also asks that during processing and packing, eggs receive treatments to eliminateSE.
See Also:
processing. SE.

Egg products

Eggs that have been removed from their shells for processing. The processing of egg products includes breaking eggs, filtering, mixing, stabilizing, blending, pasteurizing, cooling, freezing or drying, and packaging. This is done at official plants. Basic egg products include whole eggs, whites, yolks, and variousblends, with or without non-egg ingredients, that are processed and pasteurized and may be available in liquid, frozen, and dried forms. Whole eggs, whites, yolks, and various blends, with or without non-egg ingredients, are regulated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Freeze-dried products, imitation egg products, and egg substitutes are the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration.
See Also:
blend. Food and Drug Administration. Food Safety and Inspection Service. processed. processing. Whole eggs.

Egg size(s)

Shell eggs are divided by size (class) according to weight. The minimum net weight per dozen for each class: (a) Jumbo - 30 ounces; (b) Extra Large - 27 ounces; (c) Large - 24 ounces; (d) Medium - 21 ounces; and (e) Small - 18 ounces.

Einkorn

A covered wheat of Near Eastern origin. Einkorn is a high-protein crop that grows optimally in cooler, lower-moisture environments.
See Also:
covered wheat. protein.

Elastic demand

A market in which a small percentage change in price will bring about a greater proportional change in the amount purchased. Changes in the quantity demanded are relatively responsive to changes in the demand price. See Inelastic demand.
See Also:
Inelastic demand.

Elastic supply

Changes in the quantity supplied are relatively responsive to changes in the supply price. A relatively small change in supply price causes a relatively larger change in the quantity supplied. See Inelastic supply.
See Also:
Inelastic supply.

Elastic; elasticity

(1) An economic concept that relates the percentage change in one variable, such as price, to the percentage change in another variable, such as quantity. (2) The flexible, springy nature of the tobacco leaf that allows it to recover approximately its original size and shape after it has been stretched.
See Also:
tobacco.

Electric programs

The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 authorized the USDA as the lending agency with responsibility for developing a program for rural electrification with preference given to nonprofit and cooperative associations and public bodies. With the USDA's help, rural electric cooperatives have obtained financing to construct electric generating plants and transmission and distribution lines to provide initial and continued reliable electric service to rural America.
See Also:
authorized. cooperative. program. rural.

Electronic commerce

See E-commerce.
See Also:
E-commerce.

Electronic document(s)

A document that is generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, optical, or similar means, including electronic data interchange, electronic mail, telegram, telex, or telecopy.

Electronic warehouse receipt (EWR)

A warehouse receipt that is authorized by the Farm Service Agencyto be issued or transmitted under the U.S. Warehouse Act, as amended, in the form of an electronic document.
See Also:
authorized. electronic document. Farm Service Agency. U.S. Warehouse Act. warehouse receipt.

Elevator(s)

Typically, a commercial grain storage facility and market that handles grain by mechanical means. An elevator receives, handles, stores, cleans, dries, and ships a bulk, raw agricultural commodity. The agricultural commodity leaves the facility in the same form as received. See Commercial elevator(s), Country elevator(s), and Terminal elevator(s).
See Also:
agricultural commodity. bulk. Commercial elevator(s). commodity. Country elevator(s). grain. raw agricultural. storage. Terminal elevator(s).

Eleven contiguous Western states

Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. See Sixteen contiguous Western States.
See Also:
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sixteen contiguous Western States.

Eligible acres (acreage)

(1) See Payment acres; acreage. (2) Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 2101), for the Conservation Reserve Program, a wetland, including a converted wetland, and buffer acreage.
See Also:
Conservation Reserve Program. converted wetland. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. wetland.

Eligible commodity(ies)

(1) For some USDA programs, barley, canola, corn, upland cotton,extra-long staple cotton, crambe, flaxseed, mohair, mustard seed, oats, rapeseed, rice, safflower, grain sorghum, soybeans, sunflowerseed, and wheat. (2) Under the Food for Progress Program, an agricultural commodity, or product of an agricultural commodity, in Commodity Credit Corporation inventory or purchased by the CCC through commercial purchases for the Food for Progress Program. See Eligible production, and Loan commodity(ies).
See Also:
agricultural commodity. barley. canola. CCC. Commodity Credit Corporation. crambe. Eligible production. extra-long staple cotton. flaxseed. Food. Food for Progress Program. grain sorghum. Loan commodity(ies). mohair. mustard seed. rapeseed. safflower. sunflowerseed. upland cotton.

Eligible conservation practices

As determined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, land management, vegetative, and structural practices eligible for a conservation payment under a conservation security contract. Such practices should be the lowest cost alternatives, to the maximum extent practicable. See Conservation practice(s), and Conservation Security Program (CSP).
See Also:
conservation payment. Conservation practice(s). conservation security contract. Conservation Security Program (CSP). eligible. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Eligible cropland

Under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Sec. 111), for purposes of production flexibility contracts, cropland that had contract acreageattributable to the land and was (a) enrolled in an acreage reduction program for a contract commodity or was considered planted for at least one crop year from 1991 through 1995; or (b) enrolled in a Conservation Reserve Program contract that expired or was terminated on or after January 1, 1995; or (c) released by the USDA from a CRP contract beginning on January 1, 1995, and ending August 1, 1996. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 changed to the concept of base acres and payment acres for covered commodities. See Eligible production.
See Also:
acreage reduction program. base acres. Conservation Reserve Program. considered planted. contract. contract acreage. contract commodity. crop year. cropland. Eligible production. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. payment acres.

Eligible farm(s)

Under former farm bill programs, one with an effective allotment or crop acreage base established under a farm commodity program. For the various farm commodity programs, specific eligibility requirements were specified for program participation.
See Also:
allotment. commodity. crop acreage base. farm. farm bill. program.

Eligible land

(1) Under the Conservation Security Program, private agricultural land (including cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pasture land, and rangeland), land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, and forest land that is an incidental part of an agricultural operation shall be eligible for enrollment. (2) Under the Farmland Protection Program, land on a farm or ranch that has prime, unique, or other productive soil; or contains historical or archaeological resources. Such land must also be subject to a pending offer for purchase from an eligible entity. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, grassland, pasture land, and forest land that is an incidental part of an agricultural operation. (3) Under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, cropland, rangeland, pasture land, nonindustrial private forest land, and agricultural land that poses a serious threat to soil, air, water, or related resources. (4) Under the Grassland Reserve Program, private land that is grassland, land that contains forbs or shrubland, or land historically dominated by such, that has the potential to serve as habitat for animal or plant populations of significant ecological value, if the land is retained in its current use or restored to a natural condition.
See Also:
agricultural land. agricultural operation. Conservation Security Program. cropland. eligible. Environmental Quality Incentives Program. farm. Farmland Protection Program. forbs. forest land. grassland. Grassland Reserve Program. habitat. nonindustrial private forest land. plant. prime. rangeland. resources. soil. unique.

Eligible oilseed acreage

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1101(a)(2)), for purposes of determining the acreage of oilseeds eligible for calculating direct payments and counter-cyclical payments, the acreage planted to each oilseed from the 1998 through 2001 crop years and any acreage of each oilseed a producer was prevented from planting during the same time period. However, the total acreage for all oilseeds for a crop year in the above calculation may not exceed the difference between the total base acreage for all covered commodities and the total contract acreage for 2002.
See Also:
acreage. contract acreage. crop year. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. oilseed. oilseeds. producer.

Eligible orchardist

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 10201), a person that produces annualcrops from trees for commercial purposes.
See Also:
annual. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Eligible peanut quota holder

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1309(f)), a producer that owns a farm that would be eligible for a permanent peanut quota under former farm bill programs. See Compensation for loss of quota asset value (peanuts).
See Also:
Compensation for loss of quota asset value (peanuts). eligible. farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. peanut quota. producer.

Eligible pesticide chemical residue

Residue that is a nonthresholdsubstance for which an appropriate quantitativerisk assessment for the lifetime risk of the nonthreshold effect has been determined, and if there are also threshold effects associated with the chemical, theEnvironmental Protection Agency is able to identify a level at which the residue will not cause any known or anticipated harm to human health, and that the level of aggregate exposure is safe. For reregistration purposes, if the existing tolerance for a pesticide chemical exceeds the new certainty of no reasonable harm standard, the EPA may allow higher tolerances if (a) the pesticide chemical protects consumers from adverse effects that would create a higher risk than that from exposure to the residue, or (b) use of the pesticide chemical is necessary to avoid a significant disruption in domestic production of an adequate, wholesome, and economical food supply. Even if one of these apply, the yearly risk can be no more than ten times the reasonable certainty of no harm standard, and the lifetime risk can be no greater than twice the reasonable certainty of no harm standard.
See Also:
Environmental Protection Agency. nonthreshold. nonthreshold effect. pesticide chemical. reasonable certainty of no harm. reregistration. residue. risk assessment. threshold. tolerance.

Eligible practice(s)

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 2301), for Environmental Quality Incentives Program purposes, a structural practice eligible for cost-share assistance, and/or a land management practice or a developed comprehensive nutrient management plan eligible to receive incentive payments.
See Also:
comprehensive nutrient management plan. cost-share. eligible. Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. incentive payments. structural practice.

Eligible producer(s)

A producer who has become eligible for certain government benefits by complying with farm program or other government program requirements.
See Also:
eligible. farm. producer. program.

Eligible production

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1201), for marketing assistance loans, any quantity of loan commodities produced on a farm.
See Also:
farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Eligible tobacco

Under the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, fire-cured tobacco types 22 and 23, dark air-cured tobacco types 35 and 36, and Virginia sun-cured tobacco type 37.
See Also:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002. air-cured tobacco. fire-cured tobacco. sun-cured tobacco.

Eligible trade organization

In marketing promotion, (a) a U.S. or regional agricultural trade organization that promotes but does not directly profit from specific sales of agricultural commodities, (b) a cooperative organization or state agency that promotes the sale of agricultural commodities, (c) a private organization that contributes significantly to U.S. export market development, or (d) a tribal or intertribal organization that promotes the export and sale of one or more Native American agricultural products. See Foreign Market Development Program (Cooperator Program) (FMD) (FMDCP).
See Also:
cooperative. export. Foreign Market Development Program (Cooperator Program). marketing.

Eligible watersheds

Under the Conservation Reserve Program, watershed areas with actual and significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts related to agricultural production activities.
See Also:
Conservation Reserve Program. habitat. watershed.

Eligible; eligibility

Meeting the requirements for participation or inclusion in a federal or state program; qualified to participate in a government program. See Eligible farm(s) and Eligible producer(s).
See Also:
Eligible farm(s). Eligible producer(s). program.

Elisa tests

Tests for the presence of aflatoxin, vomitoxin, fumonisin, and T-2 toxin based on the coupling reaction between a specificmycotoxin and those antibodies specific for those mycotoxins.
See Also:
aflatoxin. fumonisin. mycotoxin. T-2 toxin. vomitoxin.

Elongation

(1) The act of polar expansion or increase in length following cell division that occurs in roots, fibers, flower buds, etc. (2) A cotton fiber quality measurement obtained with a stelometer that gives an estimate of the percent of elongation, or stretch, at the point of break of a bundle of fibers between two clamps.
See Also:
cotton. fiber quality.

Embargo(es)

A government-ordered prohibition of trade that restricts either all trade or only that of selected goods and services with another country. Such limitations may be applied by the embargoing country against its own nationals or in concert with other countries against a third country.

Embryo transfer

Removing fertilized ova (embryos) from one cow (donor dam) and placing these embryos into other cows (recipient cows), usually accompanied by hormone-induced superovulation of the donordam. More calves can be obtained fromcows of superior breeding value by this technique.
See Also:
breeding. cow. dam. hormone.

Emergency Agricultural Assistance Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-25)

Signed into law August 13, 2001. The Act provided $4,622,240,000 of Commodity Credit Corporationfunds to make a market loss assistance payment to owners and producers on farms that are eligible for a final payment for fiscal year 2001 under a production flexibility contract for the farms under the Agriculture Market Transition Act. The Act also provided supplemental payments for oilseed, peanuts, tobacco,wool and mohair, and cottonseed; made grants to the states to promote speciality crop production; and increased the payment limitation of loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains to $150,000 for the 2001 crop.
See Also:
Commodity Credit Corporation. cottonseed. eligible. farm. farms. fiscal year. mohair. oilseed. payment limitation. production flexibility contract. tobacco. wool.

Emergency Boll Weevil (direct) loans

See Boll Weevil Eradication Loan Program.
See Also:
Boll Weevil Eradication Loan Program.

Emergency Community Water Assistance grants

See Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Program.
See Also:
Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Program.

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

Authorized by Title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, a program administered by the Farm Service Agencythat provides emergency funds for cost-sharing with farmers and ranchers for the cost of (a) restoring farmland that has been seriously damaged by natural disasters to productive use, or (b) carrying out emergency water conservation measures during periods of severe drought. ECP assistance is available only to help solve new conservation problems caused by natural disasters that impair and endanger the land or its productive capacity. The damage must be unusual (with the exception of wind erosion), not likely to recur frequently in the same area, and so costly to repair that federal assistance is needed to return the land to productive agricultural use. Assistance is based on the type and extent of the damage.
See Also:
Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. Authorized. conservation. Farm Service Agency. farmland. program. wind erosion.

Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act (P.L. 105-228)

Signed into law August 12, 1998. The Act allowed Agricultural Market Transition Act contract holders to receive all of theirFY1999 payments ahead of schedule, in October 1998.

Emergency Feed Assistance Program (EFAP)

A program that provided for the sale of grain owned by the Commodity Credit Corporationat 75 percent of the basic loan rate to livestock producers whose feed harvest suffered because of drought or excess moisture. The purpose of the program was to avoid widespread liquidation or undue culling of livestock due to flood, drought, fire, hurricane, storm, tornado, earthquake, disease, insect infestation, or other catastrophe. Eligible livestock producers had to have insufficient feed available to preserve and maintain their breeding livestock. The Secretary of Agriculture had to declare a county a natural disaster area before this program could be implemented in that county. The program was suspended in FY1996 and reauthorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 10104). Also Feed Cost-Sharing Program,and Livestock Feed Program. See Disaster Reserve Assistance Program (DRAP).
See Also:
authorized. basic loan rate. Commodity Credit Corporation. culling. Disaster Reserve Assistance Program (DRAP). Eligible. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. feed. Feed Cost-Sharing Program. grain. livestock. Livestock Feed Program. program.

Emergency Feed Grain Donation Program (EFGDP)

A program designed to provide feed to livestock in danger of perishing due to severe winter storms. EFGDP assistance could be in the form of donated Commodity Credit Corporationinventory, donated hay, or direct cost-share payments. Direct payments could go towards plowing or snow removal or towards 100 percent reimbursement of feed purchases.
See Also:
Commodity Credit Corporation. cost-share. feed. hay. livestock. program.

Emergency Feed Grain Program of 1961

Signed into law March 22, 1961. Also known as the Feed Grain Adjustment Act. It included a voluntaryacreage reduction program for corn and grain sorghum,and authorized the first use of payment in kind.
See Also:
acreage reduction program. authorized. Feed Grain. grain sorghum.

Emergency Feed Program (EFP)

A federal cost-sharing program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, to assist livestock owners who had been severely affected by natural disaster. The USDA would cost-share the cost of feed purchased during an emergency because of substantial loss of feed production. The Secretary of Agriculture had to make a disaster declaration. The program was suspended in FY1996. See Disaster Reserve Assistance Program (DRAP).
See Also:
cost-share. Disaster Reserve Assistance Program (DRAP). Farm Service Agency. feed. livestock. program.

Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (P.L. 98-92)

Signed into law September 2, 1983. Amended the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983. See Emergency Food Assistance Program, The (TEFAP).
See Also:
Emergency Food Assistance Program, The (TEFAP). Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.

Emergency Food Assistance Program, The (TEFAP)

Begun as a special dairy distribution program in 1981, and first authorized as the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in 1983. The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides commodities, owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation, to states in amounts relative to the number of unemployed and needy persons. Administrative funds for operating the program are also provided. The food is distributed by charitable organizations to eligible recipients. Commodities high in nutrient value that are easily storable were made available by the passage of the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, even if such commodities are not made available under farm program authorities. The program was reauthorized until 2007 by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 4126).
See Also:
authorized. Commodity Credit Corporation. eligible. farm program. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Hunger Prevention Act of 1988. nutrient. program. Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 ( 7 U.S.C. §§ 1471-1471j)

Title I of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988that directed the USDA to provide emergency feed assistance in any state, county, or area where the USDA determined disease, weather, or natural disaster created a livestock or dairying emergency. See Disaster Assistance Act of 1988, and Emergency Feed Assistance Program (EFAP).
See Also:
Disaster Assistance Act of 1988. Emergency Feed Assistance Program (EFAP). feed. livestock.

Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Program

See Emergency Feed Assistance Program (EFAP).
See Also:
Emergency Feed Assistance Program (EFAP).

Emergency Loans for Seed Producers program

An Farm Service Agency program, authorized by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, to provide no-interest loans to producers of the 1999 crop of grass, forage, vegetable, and sorghum seed who did not receive payments from AgriBiotech, one of the largest turf, forage, and alfalfa seed companies in the U.S., as a result of bankruptcy proceedings. Eligible applicants (a) had to have filed a timely proof of claim in the bankruptcy proceedings; (b) could receive up to 65 percent of the value of the proof of claim against AgriBiotech, minus any proceeds received for seed sold; and (c) could get the loans interest-free for 18 months, or until the final distribution of the bankruptcy, whichever came first. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 10103) extended the loan term to 36 months.
See Also:
Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. alfalfa. authorized. Eligible. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. forage. loan. turf.

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, FY1999 (P.L. 106-31)

Signed into law May 21, 1999. The Act provided additional funding for emergency grants to assist low-income migrant farm workers and seasonal agricultural workers, the Emergency Conservation Program, a livestock indemnity program, the Small Hog Operation Payment Program, the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, and rural housing grants. It authorized the use, up to 15 percent, of specified reserve funds to provide assistance to certain producers who incurred losses to a commodity due to disasters in any crop year beginning with the 1994 crop year.
See Also:
authorized. commodity. crop year. Emergency Conservation Program. livestock indemnity program. rural housing grants. Small Hog Operation Payment Program.

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)

Authorizedby the Flood Control Act of May 17, 1950 (P.L. 81-516), and Title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial and technical assistance to reduce hazards to life and property caused by sudden damage to watersheds by flood, fire, drought, and other natural causes. Such damage can increase the threat to life and property from flooding, erosion, and sediment discharge. Under the program, the NRCS provides up to a 75 percent cost-share to restore the natural function of a watershed. The community or local sponsor provides the balance, which can be in the form of in-kind services. The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Sec. 382) also authorized the purchase of floodplain easements.
See Also:
Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. Authorized. cost-share. erosion. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Natural Resources Conservation Service. program. sediment. technical assistance. watershed.

Emergency Wetlands Reserve Program (EWRP)

As a result of the 1993 floods in the Midwest, the USDA initiated a recovery effort targeted to damaged cropland that was protected by levees.
See Also:
cropland.

Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Producers

Title VIII of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000, which provided disaster relief and compensation for lost sales and low prices. The Act included $5.544 billion in direct payments to grain and cotton producers; $1.2 billion in direct disaster payments; $475 million to soybean and other oilseed crop producers; $400 million for additional premium subsidies to encourage producers to purchase crop insurance in 2000; $328 million in direct payments to tobacco producers; $200 million in livestock assistance; $125 million in dairy income assistance; $201 million in incentive payments for U.S. exporters and processors to purchase domestic cotton; $42 million for peanut growers; and the suspension of the sugar marketing assessment, which would save the industry $42 million. See Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000.
See Also:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. cotton. crop insurance. disaster payments. grain. incentive payments. livestock. marketing assessment. oilseed. premium. sugar. tobacco.

Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Program

Authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Title XXIII), reauthorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 6009), and formerly known as the Emergency Community Water Assistance Program, the Rural Utilities Service grant program aids rural residents who have experienced significant declines in quantity or quality of water to obtain adequate quantities of water that meet the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The program allows grants to forestall imminent declines in water quality and quantity, as well as to meet emergency needs of water systems. Grants can be made in rural areas and cities or towns with a population not in excess of 10,000 and a median household income of 100 percent of a state's non-metropolitan median household income. Grants may be made for 100 percent of project costs. The maximum grant is $500,000 when a significant or imminent decline in quantity or quality of water occurred within two years, or $150,000 to make emergency repairs and replace facilities on existing systems.
See Also:
Authorized. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. grant. program. rural. Rural Utilities Service. Safe Drinking Water Act.

Emergency and temporary storage

Due to a shortage of available grain elevatorspace, the storage of harvested wheat and feed grains, in good storable condition in such practices as ground piles, to be regulated by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Temporary storage is generally covered storage of excess grain production in piles on concrete or asphalt slabs with rigid self-supporting sidewalls. Proper aeration is required. Emergency storage is generally short-term, uncovered, and susceptible to fermentation and other damage. See Ground pile(s).
See Also:
Commodity Credit Corporation. elevator. Emergency storage. feed grains. fermentation. grain. Ground pile(s). storage. Temporary storage.

Emergency compensation payments

See Findley loan rate.
See Also:
Findley loan rate.

Emergency disaster loans

Emergency loans for actual losses made in designated (and contiguous) counties where property damage and severe production losses have occurred as a direct result of a natural disaster. Such loans are made to repair, restore, or replace damaged or destroyed property, supplies, or products, and to compensate for lost income in order to restore the farming operation to its approximately equivalent earning capacity prior to the disaster.
See Also:
Emergency.

Emergency haying and grazing assistance

Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acreage may be made available in areas suffering weather-related natural disaster. If approved, harvesting of hay and livestock grazing is allowed on cropland that has been removed from production of annual program crops and devoted to long-term conserving-use cover.
See Also:
cover. cropland. grazing. hay. haying and grazing. livestock.

Emergency loans; emergency loan assistance (EM)

USDA actual loss, low-interest loans made in a county declared a disaster area or a contiguous county where a natural disaster has caused a general need for agricultural credit that cannot be met for limited periods of time by private cooperatives or other commercial sources, including the Farm Service Agency. Such loans are targeted to family-sized producers seeking economic recovery of their farming operations. Eligible producersmust have suffered a qualifying loss of essential physical property, or a production loss of at least 30 percent in any essential farm or ranch enterprise. Qualifying physical losses include loss or damage of buildings, machinery, fences, orchard trees, and livestock used for breeding. The EM loan limit is 100 percent of actual production losses or actual physical losses. The maximum indebtedness under this program is $500,000. Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 5201), loans can be made in Secretarial-declared areas under plant or animal quarantines.
See Also:
actual production. agricultural credit. breeding. Eligible. farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Farm Service Agency. livestock. loan. plant. program. qualifying loss.

Emergency storage

See Emergency and temporary storage.
See Also:
Emergency and temporary storage.

Emerging Markets (Democracies) program

First authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Sec. 1542(a)), amended by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Sec. 277) and extended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3203); the program is targeted towards countries taking steps toward market-oriented economies through the food, agriculture, or rural business sectors. The Emerging Markets Program provides technical assistance and related activities in the emerging market aimed at enhancing food and rural business systems. The ultimate purpose of the program is to develop, maintain, or expand markets for U.S. agricultural exports.
See Also:
authorized. emerging market. Emerging Markets. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Program. rural. technical assistance.

Emerging market(s)

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3014), foreign countries (a) taking steps toward building market-oriented economies with an emphasis on the food, agriculture, or rural business sectors, and (b) that have the potential to provide a viable and significant market for U.S. agricultural commodities or products.
See Also:
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. rural.

Emerging plant pests

Significant new or potential pest and disease threats to U.S. agriculture, including the Asian longhorn beetle, pine shoot beetle, Japanese beetle, citrus canker, and West Nile virus.
See Also:
citrus canker. Japanese beetle. pest. pine shoot beetle. West Nile virus.

Eminent domain (provision) (pool)

A tobacco allotment holder displaced by eminent domain has three years to acquire new farmland on which to reestablish the operation. Such allotment shall be placed in an allotment pool, and only be available during this period for use in providing allotments for other farms owned by the holder so displaced. During this period, such allotments shall be considered to have been fully planted.
See Also:
allotment. farmland. farms. tobacco.

Emmer

A grain of Near Eastern origin that is similar to einkorn. Production practices for emmer are similar to that for oats. It performs well in low-moisture environments. Emmer is considered a covered wheat.
See Also:
covered wheat. einkorn. grain.

Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC)

The grant program authorized by Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Round I); Title IX, subtitle F of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (P. L. 105-34) (Round II empowerment zones); the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (Sec. 766) (Round IIS Enterprise Communities); and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Round III Empowerment Zones). The program is designed to afford communities real opportunities for growth and revitalization. The framework of the program is embodied in four key principles: (a) economic opportunity, (b) sustainable community development, (c) community-based partnerships, and (d) strategic vision for change. Successful applicants receive block grants (except Round III Empowerment Zones), tax benefits, and authority to issue tax-exempt private activity bonds, with zones receiving a higher level of benefits. Zones also receive wage credits. See Champion Communities, EZ/EC eligibility, Renewal Communities (RC), Round I Empowerment Zones (rural), Round I Enterprise Communities (rural), and Round II Rural Empowerment Zones.
See Also:
1999. authorized. Champion Communities. Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000. EZ/EC eligibility. grant. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. program. Renewal Communities (RC). Round I. Round I Empowerment Zones (rural). Round I Enterprise Communities (rural). Round II Rural Empowerment Zones. Round III Empowerment Zones. sustainable.

Empowerment Zone(s)(EZ)

See Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC).
See Also:
Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC).

Emulsifiable concentrates (EC)

Many pesticide concentrates in their pure form will not dissolve and mix with water. Emulsifiable concentrates are concentrated oil solutions of insecticides with emulsifiers added to them. Emulsifiers are detergent-like materials that make it possible for the millions of insecticide oil droplets to be suspended (or mixed) in water to form an emulsion.
See Also:
insecticide. pesticide.

Enabling legislation

See Authorization(s); authorize(d)(s); authority(ies).
See Also:
Authorization(s); authorize(d)(s); authority(ies).

End-use certificate program

The Farm Service Agencymonitors Canadian wheat imports under end-use certificates that track how the imports are consumed. Congress enacted the program in 1995 as a result of the passage of North American Free Trade Agreement legislation to ensure that foreign wheat does not benefit from U.S. export programs. Under the program, importers of Canadian wheat, regardless of ultimate use, must complete the certificate. Transactions subsequent to entry must be reported, and all purchasers must continue to report any consumption.
See Also:
Farm Service Agency. North American Free Trade Agreement. program.

End-use quality(ies)

The measure of the attributes of grains and oilseeds, such as the protein quality for wheat and extractable starch for corn, to meet the requirements for use by millers, processors, bakers, and other end-users.
See Also:
grains. oilseeds. protein.

Endangered Species Act (ESA) (P.L. 93-205) (16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq.; 7 U.S.C. § 136)

Signed into law December 28,1973. The Act provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The Fish and Wildlife Service maintains the list of 632 endangered species (326 are plants) and 190 threatened species (78 are plants). Species include birds, insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans, flowers, grasses, and trees. Anyone can petition FWS to include a species on this list. The law prohibits any action, administrative or real, that results in a taking of a listed species, or adversely affects habitat. Likewise, import, export, interstate, and foreign commerce of listed species are all prohibited.
See Also:
conservation. endangered species. export. Fish and Wildlife Service. habitat. import. program. species. threatened species.

Endangered species

Any living organism threatened with extinction by human or natural environmental changes.

Endocrine disruptor

An exogenous substance that changes endocrine function and causes adverse effects at the developmental, behavioral, and reproductive level of the organism, its progeny, and subpopulations of organisms.
See Also:
exogenous.

Endocrine system

A mechanism by which a body's development and functions are controlled and coordinated. Chemical substances, hormones, are released into the bloodstream by specialized organs called endocrine glands. Well-known hormones include adrenaline and insulin.

Endogenous

A chemical substance formed inside the body; for example, a hormone.
See Also:
hormone.

Endophyte(s)

A plant parasite. In endophyte-infected fescue grass, the toxin released by the endophyte can cause weight gain and reproductive problems for grazing cattle. Endophytes in fescue are credited with giving fescue its drought tolerance and the ability to resist diseases and nematodes.
See Also:
gain. grazing. plant. toxin.

Endosperm

Nutritive tissue that in seeds often provides food for the embryo during germination and early development.

Endotoxin(s)

Toxins released from some bacteria as they are being ingested.

Endowment for 1994 Institutions

See Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.
See Also:
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.

Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Program

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 9005), a program to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in becoming more energy efficient and in using renewable energy technology and resources.
See Also:
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. program. renewable energy. resources.

Energy crops

Herbaceous or woody biomass grown to produce some form of energy. Energy may be generated through direct combustion or gasification of the crops to create electricity, or through the creation of liquid fuels such as ethanol.
See Also:
ethanol. Herbaceous.

Energy supplements

Feedstuffs that contain less than 20 percent crude protein. These include grain andgrain byproducts, and animal fat or vegetable oil.
See Also:
crude protein. grain.

Engineer(ed)(ing)

See Genetic engineering; genetically engineered.
See Also:
Genetic engineering; genetically engineered.

Enhanced payment(s)

Under the Conservation Security Program, discretionary additional payments to producers that (a) implement or maintain multiple conservation practices that exceed minimum requirements for the applicable tier of participation (including practices that involve a change in land use, such as resource conserving crop rotation, managed rotational grazing, or conservation buffer practices); (b) address local conservation priorities in addition to resources of concern for the agricultural operation; (c) participate in an on-farm conservation research, demonstration, or pilot project; (d) participate in a watershed or regional resource conservation plan that involves at least 75 percent of producers in a targeted area; or (e) carry out assessment and evaluation activities relating to practices included in a conservation security plan. See Conservation security contract(s), and Conservation security plan(s).
See Also:
agricultural operation. conservation. conservation buffer. conservation plan. Conservation security contract(s). conservation security plan. Conservation security plan(s). Conservation Security Program. grazing. resource conserving crop rotation. resources. rotational. watershed.

Enhancement of service to broadband service in rural areas

See Rural Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
See Also:
Rural Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.

Enrichment

(1) See Fortification; food fortification; fortified. (2) The restoration of vitamins and minerals lost during processing.
See Also:
Fortification; food fortification; fortified. processing.

Enroll(ed)(ing)(ment)(ments)

See Sign(ing)(ed)-up.
See Also:
Sign(ing)(ed)-up.

Ensile(d)(ing)

To convert to silage.
See Also:
silage.

Enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC)

A disease of catfish caused by the gram-negative bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri. This disease is the most serious disease faced by commercial catfish producers.

Enterprise Community(ies) (EC)

SeeEmpowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC).
See Also:
Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program (EZ/EC).

Enterprise unit(s)

For crop insurancepurposes, the combining of all the acres of a single crop, within a county in which the policy holder has a financial interest, into a single unit, regardless of whether they are owned or rented, or how many landlords are involved. See Basic unit(s),Insurance unit(s),Optional unit(s), andWhole farm unit(s).
See Also:
Whole farm unit(s). Basic unit(s). crop insurance. Insurance unit(s). Optional unit(s).

Entitlement foods

Foods selected by states for their schools from a list of various commodities purchased by USDA and offered under the child nutrition programs. The list includes fresh, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables; dry beans;meat, poultry, and fish; fruit juices; vegetable shortening; egg products; tree nuts; peanut products; vegetable oil; and flour and other grain products. See Bonus foods; bonus commodities.
See Also:
Bonus foods; bonus commodities. child nutrition programs. grain. meat. poultry.

Entitlement grant(s)

Mandatoryopen-ended grants. See Grant(s).
See Also:
Grant(s). open-ended.

Entitlement(s)

(1) In connection with farm program benefits, the belief that payments are assured if producers comply with all program requirements. In fact, it is likely that payments are only assured so long as the Commodity Credit Corporationhas available funds. (2) A program in which the federal government is legally obligated to make payments or provide aid to any person who meets the legal criteria for eligibility. (3) See Mandatory spending (agriculture).
See Also:
Commodity Credit Corporation. farm program. Mandatory spending (agriculture). program.

Entity(ies)

For payment limitation purposes, a legal business arrangement deemed to be a separate person in determining eligibility for receipt of payments such as counter-cyclical payments. See Three-entity rule.
See Also:
payment limitation. separate person. Three-entity rule.

Entomologist

One who studies insects.

Entrepot

An intermediary facility where trade commodities are temporarily stored for distribution within the country or for re-export.
See Also:
export.

Entrepot trade

The importand export of trade commoditieswithout the further processing of the commodities.
See Also:
export. further processing. import.

Environmental Benefits Index (EBI)

Offers for Conservation Reserve Programcontracts are ranked according to the EBI. The Natural Resources Conservation Servicecollects data for each of the EBI factors based upon the relative environmental benefits for the land offered. Each eligible offer is ranked in comparison to all others and selections made from that ranking.
See Also:
eligible. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Environmental Benefits Index factors

The EBIfactors include (a) wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage; (b) water-quality benefits from reduced erosion, agricultural runoff, and leaching; (c) on-farm benefits of reduced erosion; (d) likely long-term benefits of reduced erosion; (e) air-quality benefits from reduced wind erosion; (f) benefits of enrollment in conservation priority areas where enrollment would contribute to the improvement of identified adverse water quality, wildlife habitat, or air quality; and (g) cost.
See Also:
agricultural runoff. contract acreage. erosion. farm. habitat. leaching. wind erosion.

Environmental Conservation Acreage Reserve Program (ECARP)

See Comprehensive Conservation Enhancement Program (CCEP).
See Also:
Comprehensive Conservation Enhancement Program (CCEP).

Environmental Easement Program (EnEP; EEP)

A program, authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, designed to obtain easements for long term protection of environmentally sensitive lands. Participating producers were required to implement approved natural resource management plans in exchange for a maximum of $250,000 for the easement, or if less, the value of the land without an easement. Annual payments, not to exceed $50,000 per year, could be paid for up to ten years. The EnEP also allowed for up to 100 percent federal cost-sharing to implement the management plan. The program was never implemented and was not reauthorized by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
See Also:
authorized. easement. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. natural resource management plans. program.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency, created in 1970, that is responsible for working with state and local governments to control and prevent water, air, and drinking water pollution, including regulation of solid and hazardous waste, pesticides, and toxic and radioactive substances. The EPA regulates pesticides and establishes pesticide-tolerance levels.
See Also:
pesticides.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Authorized by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Sec. 334), EQIP combined the functions of the Agricultural Conservation Program, the Water Quality Incentives Program, the Great Plains Conservation Program, and the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control program into a single program designed to provide financial, educational, and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers faced with significant natural resource concerns. Under EQIP, the USDA can provide cost-share assistance to family-sized farms and ranches for the cost of implementing certain environmental conservation practices, such as establishing filter strips, grassed waterways, and manure-management facilities; capping abandoned wells; and enhancing wildlife habitat. The USDA can also provide incentive payments to encourage certain land management practices. Assistance will be targeted to priority areas such as watersheds or other environmentally sensitive regions in each state. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 2301) authorizes funding through FY2007, continues 75 percent cost sharing, allows a 90 percent cost share rate if a producer is a limited resource farmer or beginning farmer or rancher, increases the targeted funding for livestock producers to 60 percent of annual program funding, amends the contract length to one to ten years, and removes the annual payment limitation and replaces it with an aggregate limitation of $450,000 for the sum of the years FY2002 through FY2007.
See Also:
Agricultural Conservation Program. Authorized. Colorado River Basin Salinity Control program. contract. cost-share. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. farms. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Great Plains Conservation Program. habitat. incentive payments. payment limitation. producer. program. technical assistance. Water Quality Incentives Program.

Environmental assessment (EA)

A concise public document required by the National Environmental Policy Act and drafted by a federal agency to (a) briefly provide enough evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact, or (b) facilitate preparation of an EIS when one is needed.
See Also:
environmental impact statement.

Environmental audit

The process of investigating the environmental status and history of a property to determine if it complies with applicable environmental laws, and whether it contains any sources of potential environmental liability.

Environmental evaluation (EE)

Part of a planning process in which the potential long-term and short-term impacts of an action on people, their physical or social surroundings, and nature are evaluated and alternative actions explored.

Environmental horticulture

See Floriculture and environmental horticulture crops.
See Also:
Floriculture and environmental horticulture crops.

Environmental impact statement (EIS)

An analytical document that details potential impacts on the human environment from a particular course of action and its possible alternatives. It is required of federal agencies by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). An EIS is prepared for use by decision makers to weigh the environmental consequences of a potential decision.

Environmental physiologist

One who studies the animal environment as it relates to metabolism and reproduction.

Ephemeral erosion

See Erosion.
See Also:
Erosion.

Ephemeral streams

Seasonally flowing or intermittent streams that have channels that are above the water table at all times. They carry water only during and immediately after rain or snow melt.
See Also:
water table.

Epidemiology

The study of distribution and determinants of diseases or other health outcomes in human and animal populations. It seeks to expose potential associations between disease aspects of health and diet, lifestyle, habits, or other factors within populations.

Equalization pool

With a classified pricingsystem, such as that used in state and federal milk marketing orders, processors pay for milk at different prices for each use category. Producers are paid a weighted average, or blend price, for all uses of milk in a particular order or market. Therefore, even though oneproducer's product may be bottled and another's made into cheese, they each are paid the same uniform price. Processors pay into or draw out of the pool on the basis of their utilization of milk relative to average market utilization. Producers participating in the poolreceive the identical uniform blend prices, with adjustments for butterfat content and location. In markets with multiple-component pricing, adjustments are also made for protein or solids-not-fat content.
See Also:
blend price. butterfat. classified pricing. multiple-component pricing. pool. protein. solids-not-fat. utilization.

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

A serious and often fatal disease of horses that is spread by blood-sucking flies. If an affected horse is bitten by such a fly, it can then transmit the virus to another nearby horse. Horses may act as a reservoir for other flies to bite, and thus spread the virus to many other horses. The signs of the disease are fever, depression, weight loss, anemia, and dependent edema (stocking up).
See Also:
edema. stocking up.

Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-382)

Signed into law October 20, 1994. The Act, Title V, Part A, of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, amended by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996,and reauthorized and amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Secs. 7126-7128), established the 1994 Land grant institutions. See 1994 Land grant colleges (institutions).
See Also:
1994 Land grant colleges. authorized. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

Equivalent bushel concept (EBC)

The concept of adjusting the quantity (rather than price) of grain, to compensate for differences in moisture by the use of a shrink factor by grain buyers, to provide an estimate of the equivalent bushels at any given base moisture.
See Also:
grain.

Ergot

A fungal disease of grain.
See Also:
grain.

Erodibility

See Soil erodibility.
See Also:
Soil erodibility.

Erodibility (Erosion) Index (EI)

A value that combines a soil's inherent erodibility with its susceptibility to damage by erosion. Soil type, amount of rainfall and runoff, and slope length and steepness determine a soil's inherent erodibility. The susceptibility of a soil to erosion damage is inversely related to the depth of the top soil and to a soil's natural rate of formation. Cropland fields containing primarily soil with an Erodibility Index of eight or greater may be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Cropland with an Erodibility Index of eight or greater is also subject to the conservation compliance provisions. See Soil erodibility (factor) (K).
See Also:
conservation compliance. Conservation Reserve Program. Cropland. erodibility. erosion. runoff. slope length. soil. Soil erodibility (factor) (K). Soil type. top soil.

Erosion

The process by which water or wind moves soil. Solid material is loosened and moved from one location to another. Types of erosion are (a) sheet – a general washing away of a thin uniform sheet of soil, caused by rainfall or irrigation runoff; (b) gully – channels or incisions cut by concentrated water runoff after heavy rains; (c) ephemeral – a water worn, short lived, or seasonal incision, wider, deeper and longer than a rill, but shallower and smaller than a gully; (d) wind – the carrying away of dust and sediment by wind in areas of high prevailing winds or low annual rainfall; and (e) rill – a small channel eroded into the soil surface by runoff.
See Also:
irrigation. rill. runoff. sediment. sheet. soil.

Escape

An exotic plant that has spread from cultivation and grows successfully in the wild.
See Also:
exotic. plant.

Escape clause

A provision in a bilateral or multilateral agreement permitting a signatory nation to suspend tariffor other concessions when increasedimports cause or threaten to cause serious injury to the producers of competitive domestic goods.
See Also:
bilateral. multilateral agreement. tariff.

Established yield(s)

See Program yield(s).
See Also:
Program yield(s).

Estimated breeding value (EBV)

An estimate of an animal's true breeding value for a trait based on the performance of the individual and close relatives for that trait. EBV is a systematic way of combining available performance information on the individual and sibs and the progeny of the individual. Expected progeny differences have replaced EBVs in most breed associations.
See Also:
breed. breeding. progeny. sibs.

Estimated deficiency payment(s)

The prediction by the USDA, for program purposes, of the amount of the total deficiency payment for each program crop for the upcoming crop year. Deficiency payments were eliminated by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, but counter-cyclical payments were authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. See 0/85, and 50/85.
See Also:
0/85. 50/85. authorized. crop year. deficiency payment. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. program. program crop.

Estrous cycle

The heat cycle from oneheat period (or estrous period) to the next. Also heat; heat cycle.
See Also:
heat. heat; heat cycle.

Estrus

The period when the female is receptive for mating to the male. Alsoheat; heat cycle.
See Also:
heat; heat cycle.

Ethanol

An alcohol fuel that may be produced from an agricultural foodstock (such as corn, sugarcane, or wood) and may be blended with gasoline to enhance octane, reduce automotive exhaust pollution, and reduce reliance on petroleum-based fuels.

European (Economic) Community (EC)

An organization established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 and also known as the European Economic Community and the Common Market. Originally composed of the six European nations of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, it has expanded in four waves to 15 nations and is preparing for the accession of 13 eastern and southern European countries. The EC attempted to unify and integrate member economies by establishing a customs union and common economic policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Member nations included the original six nations plus Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Finland, and the United Kingdom. Also European Union (EU).
See Also:
accession. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Common Market. customs union. European Union (EU).

European Union (EU)

Following adoption of the 1993 Maastricht Treaty, the successor entity to the European Community.

Eutrophic

Usually refers to a nutrient-enriched, highly productive body of water.
See Also:
nutrient.

Eutrophication

A process by which a water body becomes rich in dissolved nutrients, often leading to algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen, and changes in community composition. Eutrophication occurs naturally, but can be accelerated by human activities, such as fertilizer runoff, that increase nutrient inputs to the water body.
See Also:
nutrient.

Evans-Allen funds

Special federal funding to help finance agricultural research at the 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities and Tuskegee University.
See Also:
1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities and Tuskegee University.

Evapotranspiration

The loss of all water from a particular area by either evaporation or transpiration.
See Also:
transpiration.

Even-aged

In a forest, crop, or stand, trees having no, or relatively small, differences in age. By convention, the maximum difference admissible is generally 10 to 20 years; though with rotations of 100 years, differences up to 30 percent of the rotation may be admissible.
See Also:
rotation. stand.

Evenflow

The same amount of timber produced annually for an indefinite, extended period of time from a natural forest or other unit of land.

Ever-Normal Granary

The principle of using stored grain when it is needed, such as during times of drought, and rebuilding grain stocks to a safe level during good production years. Its purpose is to ensure adequacy of supply, as well as to aid in stabilizing farm prices and incomes.
See Also:
farm. grain. stocks.

Ewe

A mature female sheep.

Excess base acres

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1101), when the sum of base acres and eligible oilseeds acreage exceeds the actual cropland acreage for the farm.
See Also:
base acres. farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Excess manure nutrients

Manure nutrient production that exceeds the capacity of a crop, through land application, to assimilate.
See Also:
land application. nutrient.

Excess tobacco

For burley tobacco and flue-cured tobacco, the quantity of tobacco marketed above 103 percent of the effective quota.
See Also:
burley tobacco. flue-cured tobacco. tobacco.

Exchange rate(s)

The price of one currency that is exchanged for another.

Exchange(s)

See Futures market(s).
See Also:
Futures market(s).

Exchange-of-use grazing agreement(s)

An agreement that may be issued to an applicant who owns or controls lands that are unfenced and intermingled with public lands in the same grazing allotment. Use under such an agreement must be in harmony with the management objectives for the grazing allotment and compatible with the existing livestock operations.
See Also:
grazing allotment. livestock.

Excluded methods

A variety of methods used to genetically modify organisms or influence their growth and development by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes and are not considered compatible with organic production.
See Also:
organic.

Exclusion programs

The prevention of exotic plant and animal pests and diseases from entering the U.S. through inspections and quarantines. See Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program (AQI).
See Also:
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program (AQI). exotic plant and animal pest.

Exclusive representative in collective bargaining (bargaining association)

A bargaining association similar to that administered by the National Farmers Organization. Such a bargaining association operates through commodity departments that assist marketing with respect to negotiations and coordination. Bargaining is done by an elected marketing-area bargaining committee which is elected in each county for each commodity. In the case of the NFO, the membership contract specifically provides that the NFO is a "service organization, bargaining for its members who have signed marketing contracts."
See Also:
bargaining association. commodity. contract. marketing. National Farmers Organization.

Exclusive-agency bargaining (bargaining association)

A bargaining association by a government agency taking an active role in implementing collective bargaining by producers. Generally, such a bargaining association is established by legislation that (a) defines the bargaining unit, (b) recognizes the bargaining association as representing all producers in the bargaining unit, (c) provides for mediation and arbitration, and (d) enforces a set of rules related to fair bargaining and equity treatment.
See Also:
arbitration. bargaining association. mediation.

Exempt plant (milk)

A plant exempt from pricing and pooling provisions of any federal milk marketing order, including (a) a plant that is operated by a governmental agency that has no route disposition or commercial channels, (b) a plant operated by a duly accredited college or university that disposes of fluid milk products only through its own facilities, (c) a plant from which the total route disposition is to individuals or institutions for charitable purposes, or (d) a plant that has a route disposition and packaged sales of fluid milk products to other plants of 150,000 pounds or less during the month.
See Also:
federal milk marketing order. route disposition.

Exercise(d)

In commodity options trading, the action taken by a holder of a call option if he or she wishes to purchase the underlying futures contract, or by the holder of a put option if he or she wishes to sell the underlying futures contract.
See Also:
option. put. underlying futures contract.

Exogenous

A chemical substance formed outside of the body.

Exotic

Not indigenous to a country or region.

Exotic (plant and animal) pest(s)

Fungi, insects, weeds, and other pests not indigenous to a country or region.
See Also:
pests.

Exotic (plant) (animal) disease(s)

New diseases that, once introduced into a new environment, can explode into epidemic proportions because of the lack of natural control agents, the lack of resistance by host plants and animals, and the lack of knowledge of how to manage the disease outbreak.
See Also:
resistance.

Exotic animal(s)

For purposes of inspected meat fabrication, any reindeer, elk, deer, antelope, water buffalo, or bison.
See Also:
fabrication. meat.

Exotic species

A species that is not indigenous to a country or region.
See Also:
species.

Exotic weed(s)

An invasive, unwanted non-native plant that may infest large areas or cause economic and ecological damage to an area. See Invasive weed(s), and Noxious weed(s).
See Also:
Invasive weed(s). Noxious weed(s). plant.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Smith-Lever 3(d) program, initiated by the USDA in 1968 and authorized under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (Sec. 1425), that complements the Women, Infants, and Children program by providing nutrition education and food preparation training to youth and families. Funds are used to provide low-income families with information to increase nutrition knowledge and to improve nutritional practices. EFNEP funds are distributed to the states and territories on the basis of a formula of persons living at or below 125 percent of the poverty level. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 7106) extendedauthority for the program through FY2007. See Smith-Lever 3(d) (funds).
See Also:
authorized. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act. program. Smith-Lever 3(d) (funds).

Expansive soils

Clay soils that swell when they absorb water and shrink when they dry out.

Expected county yield

A yield, used in calculating yield guarantees, that is established for each crop that can be insured using Group Risk Plan insurance. The yield is determined by using historical National Agricultural Statistics Service county average yields, as adjusted by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
See Also:
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. Group Risk Plan. insurance. National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Expected price

The expected price used to calculate revenue guarantees for Group Risk Income Plan insurance. Expected prices are averages of settlement prices of Chicago Board of Trade futures contracts during the five business days prior to March 15th.
See Also:
insurance.

Expected production

The historic yield multiplied by the number of planted or prevented planting acres of the crop.
See Also:
prevented planting.

Expected progeny difference (EPD)

Indicates how the calves from an animal will compare genetically to an average group of animals in the same breed. EPDs are always relative to a reference group, and are expressed as a plus or minus deviation from the norm. An EPD is based on a formula that measures an animal's genetics and the interaction with the feeding program, weather, pasture conditions, and many other factors that make up the environment. EPDs are more accurate than anything previously available because they account for (a) the genetic value of cows to which a bull is bred, (b) environmental differences affecting contemporary groups, (c) genetic values of other parents in the contemporary group, and (d) genetic trends. See Estimated breeding value (EBV).
See Also:
breed. bull. contemporary group. Estimated breeding value (EBV). program.