Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program Announced

The next sign-up for the Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) is right around the corner. Producers may apply for funding during the upcoming application period October 1 - 15, 2019. Receipts dated October 1, 2019 or after are eligible for cost share reimbursement contingent on approval of application. To be eligible, producers must have a current Beef Quality Assurance Certification when your application is submitted. I have scheduled BQA certification meetings for August 12th and the 26th at 6:00 downstairs of the UT Cannon County Extension Office. I will also conduct these certifications during the week, please contact the Extension Office at 615-563-2554 to schedule a time. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is offering new options for Farmers for the 2019/2020 program year. The update options for TAEP in 2019/20 include;

⦁ A new cattle herd health program aims to improve the health, reputation, and profitability of Tennessee cattle. Participating farmers will implement a preventative herd health protocol for beef and dairy cattle.

⦁ In partnership with the University of Tennessee, the new cattle genetics online tool will assist in determining a bull's eligibility for TAEP.

⦁ To ensure more long-term investments, the verification period has increased. Applicants must utilize equipment and structures reimbursed with cost share funds for a minimum of five continuous years from the date of purchase.

⦁ The Hay Storage program will not be offered for the 2019-2020 program year in order to launch the new Hay Equipment program. Hay production will be the focus, with hay mowers, mower-conditioners, tedders, rakes, and balers eligible for cost share. Participants must meet minimum requirements of 100 head of cattle, 150 head of goats or sheep, or 100 acres of hay in production.

⦁ The renamed Working Facility Structures program features the Working Facility Cover for existing livestock working equipment and the Permanent Working Pen for receiving, separating, weaning, or holding livestock.

⦁ The Grain Storage program is now called Row Crop Solutions. Cotton has been added as an eligible commodity. New items include drive-over scales, stationary fuel tanks, GPS displays and receivers, grain bin rescue tubes, and no-till drills. The maximum reimbursement has increased to $20,000.

⦁ Application B for Producer Diversification has been simplified and shortened to ease the application process.

⦁ Application C for Poultry Growers will now include ventilation fans and LED lights for retrofitting, as well as feed bins, poultry house trolley systems, and litter management equipment. The maximum reimbursement has increased to $10,000.

⦁ The lifetime reimbursement limits for commodity sheds, grain bins, and livestock working facility covers have been removed.

Since the inception of TAEP, Cannon County producers have received $2,668,767.00 in cost share dollars for 808 projects for the purpose of making long-term investments on the County's farms. Every TAEP dollar generates $3.89 to the local economy. These cost share dollars has assisted livestock producers in improving the genetics, stored forages, and working facilities in their operations. Hay barns have been built to improve storage and management of forages which are critical to improving herd nutrition. These producers have also utilized these funds to increase the quality, value, marketability, and reputation of Tennessee livestock. Livestock equipment cost-share have improved farmers' ability to properly and safely manage livestock. Row crop producers improved the managing, storing, and drying of their grain providing higher returns and market flexibility. Through Producers Diversification of the TAEP, producers have diversified their operation which includes agritourism, fruit and vegetables, honey bees, horticulture, organics and value-added products.

Livestock producers applying for TAEP Farm Investment dollars are eligible for 35% cost-share. To increase cost share to 50%, producers must attend The University of Tennessee Extension Advanced Master Beef (AMB) program. Producers which have graduated from past TAEP programs prior to 2016, will not qualify for the 50% TAEP cost share and must renew their AMB certification. Please contact the Cannon County Extension Office to verify when you attended the most recent AMBP course.
We are currently planning the next Advanced Master Beef meetings. If you are planning to participate in this certification, please drop by the Extension office and register for the Advance Master Beef sessions. (615-563-2554). Please help us spread the word on the upcoming AMBP sessions and the Tennessee Ag Enhancement program.

Everyone is welcome to attend any meetings hosted by the Cannon County UT Extension. These meetings provides an opportunity to viewed researched based information from The University of Tennessee. Your local Cannon County Extension Office is the outreach department of the University. This program, like all UT Extension programs, is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or veteran status.