Richard G. Lugar, United States Senator for Richard G. Lugar, United States Senator for Indiana
Richard G. Lugar, United States Senator for Indiana
Home > Senator Lugar's Farm Bill > Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws

Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws

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NAA — National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-362; 16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.).
NACD — National Association of Conservation Districts. www.nacdnet.org.
NACD — National Association of Conservation Districts. www.nacdnet.org.
NACMCF — National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. www.fsis.usda.gov/OPHS/nacmcf/index.htm.
NACO — National Association of Counties. www.naco.org.
NAD — National Appeals Division. www.nad.usda.gov.
NADA — New animal drug applications.
NAEGA — North American Export Grain Association.
NAFTA — North American Free Trade Agreement. www.nafta-sec-alena.org/english/index.htm.
NAHLN — National Animal Health Laboratory Network. www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/highlights/section6/section6-6.html.
NAHMS — National Animal Health Monitoring System. nahms.aphis.usda.gov.
NAHRS — National Animal Health Reporting System. www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahrs.
NAICS — North American Industry Classification System (replaces standard industrial classification (SIC). www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html.
NAL — National Agricultural Library. www.nalusda.gov.
NAP — Noninsured Assistance Payments.
NARC&DC — National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. www.rcdnet.org.
NAS — National Academy of Sciences. www.nas.edu.
NASDA — National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. www.nasda-hq.org.
NASS — National Agricultural Statistics Service. www.usda.gov/nass.
NASULGC — National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. www.nasulgc.org.
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) — An institution created by Congress in 1863 to provide science-based advice to the government. The sister organizations associated with the Academy are the National Academy of Engineers, Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council. The Academies and the Institute are honorary societies that elect new members to their ranks each year. The bulk of the institutions' science policy and technical work is conducted by the National Research Council (NRC), created expressly for that purpose. The NRC's Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources addresses issues confronting agriculture, food, and related environmental topics. www.nas.edu.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods — This committee was established in 1987 to advise the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services concerning the development of science-based, microbiological standards by which the safety of foods can be evaluated and by which plant sanitation and processing systems can be improved.
National Agricultural Library (NAL) — A national depository of scientific and popular agricultural information located at the Agricultural Research Service's research center in Beltsville, Maryland. NAL's administration was merged with ARS in 1994. www.nalusda.gov.
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 — Title XIV of the 1977 farm bill (P.L. 95-113; 7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) made USDA the leading federal agency for agricultural research, extension, and teaching programs and consolidated the funding for these programs. This Act and other statutes relating to the research mission area are reauthorized every 4 to 7 years as part of omnibus legislation that provides funding authority and policy guidance for nearly all of USDA's agencies.
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board — A 30-member board established by the 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) to replace three existing advisory committees. The Board, which was reauthorized through 2007 by the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171, Sec. 7133), advises USDA on national priorities and policies related to agricultural research, extension, and education.
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) — A USDA agency that collects and publishes statistics on the U.S. food and fiber system, with offices located in each state's department of agriculture. www.usda.gov/nass.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) — National standards set by the EPA under authority of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.). NAAQS define the maximum allowable concentrations of specified air pollutants in outdoor (ambient) air. NAAQS have been set for carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and ozone. Primary NAAQS protect human health, with a margin of safety; secondary NAAQS protect human welfare, which includes effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, materials, etc.
National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) — A network of federal and state resources intended to enable a rapid and sufficient response to animal health emergencies. The concept of the NAHLN reconfigures animal health diagnostic services in the United States by positioning National Veterinary Services Laboratory as the lead U.S. animal health laboratory and allowing select laboratories operated by state and university officials to cooperate in foreign animal disease surveillance and related services. www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/highlights/section6/section6-6.html.
National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS) — The National Animal Health Reporting System is a joint effort of the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA), American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). NAHRS was designed to provide data from chief state animal health officials on the presence of confirmed Office International des Epizooties (OIE) LIST A and B clinical diseases in specific commercial livestock, poultry, and aquaculture species in the United States. It is intended to be one part of a comprehensive and integrated animal-health surveillance system. www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahrs.
National Animal Identification System (NAIS) — See United States Animal Identification Plan (USAIP).
National Appeals Division (NAD) — The National Appeals Division of USDA was established by the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Title II of P.L. 103-354) to consolidate and improve the hearing procedures for USDA claims and disputes. The statute and regulations provide that certain sections of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (P.L. 79-404, as amended), including the hearing requirements, do not apply to NAD proceedings. The NAD procedures govern informal and formal hearings covering appeals of decisions made by the rural development agencies, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Risk Management Agency, and the Farm Service Agency. The statute and regulations set forth the procedures for hearings, requirements for the presiding officers, requirements for communications between the decision-maker and persons interested in the matter, and other important issues. After a decision is made by a hearing officer, both the appellant and the agency have the right to a review by the NAD director, who then issues a final determination. The final determination of the NAD is reviewable and enforceable by the U.S. District Court in accordance with the judicial review provisions of the APA. www.nad.usda.gov.
National Aquaculture Act of 1980 — P.L. 96-362, as amended, is intended to promote and support the development of private aquaculture and to ensure coordination among the various federal agencies that have aquaculture programs and policies. It provided for a national aquaculture policy, including a formal National Aquaculture Development Plan; established a Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture on which officials of USDA, Commerce, the Interior, and nine other federal agencies sit; designated USDA as the lead agency for coordination; and authorized the National Aquaculture Information Center within the National Agricultural Library (accessible now through the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center at www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afsaqua.htm).
National Bank for Cooperatives (CoBank) — An institution of the Farm Credit System that provides financial services to approximately 2,000 agricultural cooperatives, rural utility systems, Farm Credit System associations and other businesses serving rural America. CoBank also finances agricultural exports and provides international banking services primarily to U.S. agricultural cooperatives. www.cobank.com.
National Cheese Exchange (NCE) — A now defunct private non-profit corporation that operated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Every Friday morning for one-half hour, members of the NCE met to buy or sell cheddar cheese in 40-pound blocks and 500-pound barrels on the exchange. The closing prices were published and widely circulated throughout the dairy industry, and were used as the basis for buying and selling cheese throughout the food distribution system. Up until April 1997 the USDA used changes in the NCE price as a principal component in determining the basic formula price for all milk sold under federal milk marketing orders. Activity on the NCE was regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Attorney General.
National Dairy Promotion & Research Program — See Dairy Promotion Program. http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/dairyrp.htm.
National Drought Policy Commission — P.L. 105-199, the National Drought Policy Act of 1998, authorized creation of the Commission to conduct a study of current federal, state, local and tribal drought preparedness, and review laws and programs to determine if deficiencies exist in current relief policies and resources. The Commission's report to the President and Congress, Preparing for Drought in the 21st Century, May 2000, is available online. www.fsa.usda.gov/drought/default.htm.
National Early Warning System — A program run by the Centers for Disease Control to increase federal support to state health departments to detect foodborne diseases by increasing the number of scientists available to investigate outbreaks and by enhancing laboratory-based surveillance of important foodborne pathogens.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 — P.L. 91-190 made a declaration of national environmental policy and established a continuing responsibility of the federal government to reach a number of substantive goals that embody nationwide improvements in environmental quality. Federal policies, regulations, and laws must be administered in accordance with NEPA. To insure this is accomplished, all federal agencies must consider the environmental consequences of their actions through the preparation of environmental impact statements (EIS). Also, the law creates the Council on Environmental Quality in the Executive Office of the President.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System — A program created in the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act (P.L. 92-583) to have states nominate portions of estuaries representing the major coastal biogeographic regions of the country as sites for research and education activities. The 25 units in the system can be used for comparative research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides grants to states to acquire, develop, and operate these sites.
National Estuary Program — A program created by the 1987 amendments (P.L. 100-4) to the Clean Water Act (P.L. 92-500, as amended) to provide grants to states where governors identify nationally significant estuaries that are threatened by pollution, land development, or overuse. Governors have identified a total of 28 estuaries, and the Environmental Protection Agency awarded grants to these states to develop comprehensive management plans to restore and protect the estuaries.
National farm program acreage — Prior to 1996, the number of harvested acres of feed grains, wheat, and cotton needed nationally to meet domestic and export use and to accomplish any desired increase or decrease in carryover levels. The acreage base for an individual farm was calculated as the producer's share of the national farm program acreage. The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127)and the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 101-171) have eliminated the need to calculate a national program acreage.
National Farm Animal Identification and Records (FAIR) — A pilot animal ID program established in 1999 by Holstein Association USA, Inc. of Brattleboro, Vermont; it has received funding through USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Program — This program was first authorized by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6401-6417). Fluid milk processors develop and finance generic advertising programs designed to maintain and expand markets and uses for fluid milk products produced in the United States. The mandatory national fluid milk program is financed by a 20¢ per hundredweight assessment on all fluid milk processed and marketed commercially in consumer-type packages (except by small processors). Fluid Milk Board annual revenue is approximately $110 million. www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/dairyrp.htm.
National forest — Originally, forest reserves, established by Presidential proclamation mostly between 1891 and 1909. Today, the boundaries of the 155 national forests cannot be modified without congressional authorization, although many (especially eastern) national forests are combined for easier administration. The 114 administrative units, commonly referred to as national forests, are managed by the Forest Service for multiple use and sustained yield of renewable resources, as determined in forest plans.
National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 — P.L. 94-588 largely amended the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-378). The law was seen as necessary, because a lawsuit (commonly known as the Monongahela decision) had invalidated many timber practices in the national forests. NFMA substantially enacted detailed guidance for forest plans, particularly in regulating when, where, and how much timber could be harvested and in requiring public involvement in preparing and revising the plans. Also, NFMA established and expanded several Forest Service trust funds and special accounts.
National Forest System (NFS) — The 192 million acres administered by the Forest Service for multiple use and sustained yield; comprised of 155 national forests (in 114 administrative units) with nearly 188 million acres, 20 national grasslands with nearly 4 million acres, and 117 other units (e.g., purchase units, land utilization projects, research and experimental areas) with less than a million acres. While the NFS lands are concentrated in the West, the 25 million acres east of the 100th Meridian (the Great Plains) make the Forest Service the largest land manager in the East.
National grasslands — A type of unit designated by USDA and under Title II of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (P.L. 75-210) and permanently held by USDA as part of the National Forest System.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) — An agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at the Department of Commerce, now in transition to the new agency name of NOAA Fisheries www.nmfs.noaa.gov. NMFS/NOAA Fisheries administers programs and provides services and products to support the domestic and international conservation and management of living marine resources, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance activities, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation operations. Under the authority of the 1946 Agricultural Marketing Act, NMFS/NOAA Fisheries conducts voluntary seafood inspection on a fee-for-service basis, mainly as a marketing and quality program rather than as a food safety program seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov.
National Milk Laboratory Certification Program — Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts a national certification program for state centralized laboratories that test dairy products for contaminants and residues. FDA maintains accreditation of milk laboratories and sample collection surveillance procedures by making triennial on-site evaluations of laboratory facilities and equipment and by testing annually the performance skills of analysts. The FDA also standardizes, evaluates, and certifies state and territorial milk laboratory evaluation officers and state sampling surveillance officers.
National Natural Resources Conservation Foundation (NNRCF) — A nonprofit private organization established by the 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) to promote and fund innovative solutions to conservation problems through effective partnerships. The Foundation can accept gifts and raise money. The NNRCF will conduct research, undertake educational activities, support demonstration projects, and make grants to state and local governments and nonprofit organizations. Appropriations were authorized at $1 million per year for 1997-99, but no appropriations were provided and the Foundation has not become operational. Similar foundations have been created for several other natural resource areas.
National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 — P.L. 101-445 was enacted to establish a comprehensive, coordinated program for nutrition monitoring and related research to improve the assessment of the health and nutrition of the U.S. population. The Act required: a program to achieve coordination of federal nutrition monitoring efforts within 10 years and assist states and local governments in participating in a nutrition monitoring network; an interagency board to develop and implement the program; and, an advisory council to provide scientific and technical advice and evaluate program effectiveness. The Act also required that dietary guidelines be issued every five years, and that any dietary guidance issued by the federal government for the general public be reviewed by the Secretaries of both Agriculture, and Health and Human Services.
National Organic Program (NOP) — A program authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (Title 21 of the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624) that went into operation in October 2002 (7 CFR 205). The NOP sets national standards for organic farming practices, and accredits organizations and people who perform farm visits to certify that a farm meets the standards and may label its products USDA Organic. www.ams.usda.gov:80/nop.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) — A board established by Title 21 of the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624) to develop national standards for practices and substances to be used in implementing a National Organic Program (NOP). The Board is to evaluate new practices and inputs (e.g., fertilizers) as they develop and determine whether or not they are acceptable under the program. www.ams.usda.gov/nosb.
National Partnership Office (NPO) — The NPO is responsible for implementing National Rural Development Partnership policies and activities. The NPO provides budgetary and financial technical assistance to State Rural Development Councils. www.partnershipresourcecenter.org/resources/npo/pship_coord.php.
National Research Council (NRC) — See National Academy of Sciences. www.nas.edu/nrc.
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRI) — Generally referred to as the NRI, this program makes grants to scientists at both public and private laboratories for basic and applied agricultural research in priority areas as designated in the research title of the1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624, Title XVI), as amended. Grants are awarded competitively through a peer-review process. attra.ncat.org/guide/n_z/nri.html.
National Resources Inventory (NRI) — A periodic survey of status and changing conditions of the soil, water, and related resources on private land conducted by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The survey has been conducted at 5-year intervals since 1977, most recently in 2002. NRCS released initial results from the 1997 survey in late 1999, which can be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI.
National Rural Development Council (NRDC) — This is the federal component of the National Rural Development Partnership. The NRDC comprises representatives from various federal departments and national organizations whose activities or policies may affect rural areas. The NRDC provides guidance for the Partnership and works on behalf of State Rural Development Councils at the national level. Its administrative office is housed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp/national/nrdc/nrdc.html.
National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP) — A collaborative effort comprised of representatives of the federal, state, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and the nonprofit sector to promote rural development across the nation. The principle component of the Partnership is the State Rural Development Councils. The Partnership was authorized by the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171, 6021) as an amendment of the Consolidated Agriculture and Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2008m). The law authorizes appropriations of $10 million per fiscal year 2002-2006 for the Partnership. www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp.
National Rural Economic Development Institute (NREDI) — NREDI helps develop the capacity of the National Rural Development Partnership and its constituent organizations (State Rural Development Councils and the National Rural Development Council) by providing economic development-related training and consulting services.
National School Lunch Act — See School Lunch Act.
National School Lunch Program — See School Lunch Program. www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/default.htm.
National Sheep Industry Improvement Center — The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-127) established a revolving fund of up to $50 million, to be used by a new, eventually privatized, center that aims to revive the declining U.S. sheep and goat industries through loans and loan guarantees for such activities as improving production and marketing methods, purchasing new equipment, and modernizing processing facilities. www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/cssheep.htm.
National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) — A program under which the federal Food and Drug Administration works cooperatively with the states, the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, and industry to assure the safety of molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels). Among other things, all such products entering interstate commerce must be handled by state-certified dealers, be properly tagged, be tracked by appropriate records, and be processed in plants that meet sanitation requirements. The FDA continually reviews state shellfish control programs for their effectiveness. www.pcsga.org/Government_Pages/NSSP.html.
National Trade Estimate (NTE) book — A publication of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that describes, by country, significant foreign barriers to U.S. exports, including agricultural exports. It is based on information provided by USTR, the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, and other agencies and sources. www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/Section_Index.html.
National treatment — A basic principle of GATT/WTO that prohibits discrimination between imported and domestically produced goods with respect to internal taxation or other government regulation. The principle of national treatment is formulated in Article 3 of the GATT 1947 (and incorporated by reference in GATT 1994); Article 17 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); and in Article 3 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The aim of this trade rule is to prevent internal taxes or other regulations from being used as a substitute for tariff protection.
National Wetland Inventory — A Fish and Wildlife Service program started in the 1970s to inventory and map all wetlands, primarily for scientific purposes. The data and maps it produces have been used to track gains and losses of wetlands for more than two decades. It uses the Cowardin Classification System to classify wetlands.
National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) — Consists of all of the National Wildlife Refuges, the Waterfowl Production Areas, and certain other small tracts managed by states under cooperative agreements with the Fish and Wildlife Service. In general, these areas are managed primarily for conservation of wild plants and animals (particularly waterfowl). Other uses, such as recreation, grazing, energy development, etc., are permitted to the extent they are compatible with the conservation purpose. Some refuges have additional purposes defined in law. refuges.fws.gov.
National Wool Act of 1954 — Title VII of Agricultural Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-690) was designated the National Wool Act and provided for a new and permanent price support program for wool and mohair to encourage increased domestic production through incentive payments. Wool and mohair commodity programs were in effect through marketing year 1995, at which time it was terminated under the explicit mandate of P.L. 103-130, Sec. 1.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) — A USDA agency responsible for developing and carrying out national soil and water programs in cooperation with landowners, operators, and others. It was created in 1994 reorganization legislation by merging the Soil Conservation Service and many of the conservation cost-sharing programs of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. A large majority of the approximately 12,000 employees work at the field level directly with land owners. The gross value all NRCS program activities was $2.3 billion for FY2003. www.nrcs.usda.gov.
NAWD — National Association of WIC Directors has become the National WIC Association. www.nwica.org.
NAWG — National Association of Wheat Growers. www.wheatworld.org.
NBB — National Biodiesel Board. www.biodiesel.org.
NBC — National Broiler Council (in 1998 the organization changed its name to the National Chicken Council). www.eatchicken.com.
NCA — National crop acreage.
NCAMP — National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (in 1998 the organization changed its name to Beyond Pesticides). www.beyondpesticides.org.
NCBA — National Cattlemen's Beef Association. www.beef.org.
NCBA — National Cooperative Business Association. www.ncba.coop/index.cfm.
NCC — National Chicken Council (formerly the National Broiler Council) www.eatchicken.com.
NCC — National Cotton Council. www.cotton.org/ncc.
NCE — National Cheese Exchange.
NCFAP — National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. www.ncfap.org.
NCFC — National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. www.ncfc.org.
NCFH — National Center for Farmworker Health. www.ncfh.org.
NCGA — National Corn Growers Association. www.ncga.com.
NCIMS — National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments.
NDC — National Dairy Council. www.nationaldairycouncil.org.
NE — Northern Europe cotton price.
NEPA analysis — Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA) (P.L. 91-190) an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be conducted for any major federal action with significant impact on the environment. In some cases, an environmental assessment is performed prior to an EIS to evaluate how significant such impacts may be, and thus to determine whether an EIS is required.
NEPA — National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-190; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Net cash income — A farm's actual cash receipts and expenses in a given year, regardless of the year the goods sold were produced. In general, it serves as an indicator of the short-term financial condition of agricultural producers and their ability to pay household expenses, farm operating expenses, loan payments, and to purchase capital assets such as machinery. It consists of cash receipts from farm marketings of crop and livestock products, other cash income from such farm-related sources as machine hire, custom work and farm recreational activities, and direct government payments, less production expenses paid in cash. It excludes the non-monetary components of gross farm income and net farm income.
Net energy value (NEV) — In the context of fuel, NEV is the energy content minus the energy used to produce it. An NEV less than 1.0 means a negative energy balance. Estimates of the NEV of corn-ethanol range from as low as 0.71 (Pimental 2003) to as high as 1.67 (USDA 2004). Biodiesel NEV is 3.2 and petroleum diesel NEV is 0.83 according to 1998 USDA-DOE study. In the context of livestock production, the net energy value of feed is the energy available to the animal for maintenance and production of muscle or milk after deducting for the work of digestion.
Net income — As related to farming, the return (both monetary and non-monetary) to farm operators for their labor, management and capital, after all production expenses have been paid (that is, gross farm income minus production expenses). It includes net income from farm production as well as net income attributed to the rental value of farm dwellings, the value of commodities consumed on the farm, depreciation, and inventory changes. Under the Food Stamp Program, a household's net monthly income determines its benefit and, in some cases, its eligibility (see Deductions).
Net income stabilization account (NISA) — A voluntary farm income safety-net program used in Canada, under which farmers set aside money in individual interest bearing accounts that is matched by federal and provincial treasuries. Farmers can make withdrawals from the account when their income falls below their five-year average returns after costs, or when their taxable income falls below a fixed level.
Net pen culture — A type of aquaculture where fish remain captive throughout their lives in marine pens built from nets. This approach is used extensively for culturing Atlantic salmon.
Net ton-mile — The movement of a ton of freight one mile in contrast to the movement of freight and cars (a gross ton-mile).
NET — Nutrition Education and Training Program.
New Zealand Dairy Board (NZDB) — Until 2001,when it was merged with two New Zealand dairy cooperatives to become the Fonterra Cooperative Group, the New Zealand Dairy Board was the quasi-government corporation explicitly created by New Zealand statute to purchase and export all New Zealand dairy products (thus, it was a state trading enterprise). (New Zealand accounts for about 3% of world milk production, but has an export share of about 25% of the market.) It operated through a global network of marketing subsidiaries, based in the countries where New Zealand dairy products are sold. Through its purchasing activities and its system of premiums and penalties, it encouraged the production of dairy products that are in high demand and discouraged those that are in surplus. www.fonterra.com/default.jsp.
NFI — National Fisheries Institute. www.nfi.org.
NFMA — National Forest Management Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-588; 16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.).
NFO — National Farmers Organization. nfo.org.
NFPA — National Food Processors Association. www.nfpa-food.org.
NFS — National Forest System.
NFSMI — National Food Service Management Institute. www.olemiss.edu/depts/nfsmi.
NFU — National Farmers Union. www.nfu.org.
NGA — National Governors Association. www.nga.org.
NGA — National Grocers Association. www.nationalgrocers.org.
NGFA — National Grain and Feed Association. www.ngfa.org.
NGTC — National Grain Trade Council. www.ngtc.org.
NHCP — National Handbook of Conservation Practices. www.bse.vt.edu/swcs/nhcp_2.html.
NIAA — National Institute for Animal Agriculture. www.animalagriculture.org.
NIS — New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union.
NISA — Net income stabilization account.
Nitrate — The nitrogen ion, NO3-, is derived from nitric acid and is an important source of nitrogen in fertilizers. Most nitrogenous materials in water tend to be converted to nitrate, so all sources of combined nitrogen, particularly organic nitrogen and ammonia, should be considered as potential nitrate sources. Primary sources of organic nitrates include human sewage and livestock manure, especially from feedlots. The primary source of inorganic nitrate is fertilizer. Consequently, wells in rural areas are at greater risk of nitrate contamination. Nitrate pollution of drinking water, shallow wells being particularly vulnerable, is of concern because excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause serious illness and sometimes death in infants. EPA has set a drinking water standard for nitrate at10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (P.L. 93-523, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 300f-300j).
Nitrogen — An element found in the air and in all plant and animal tissues. For many crops, nitrogen fertilizer is essential for economic yields. However, nitrogen can also be a pollutant when nitrogen compounds are mobilized in the environment (e.g., leach from fertilized or manured fields), are discharged from septic tanks or feedlots, volatilize to the air, or are emitted from combustion engines. As pollutants, nitrogen compounds can have adverse health effects (see Nitrate, and Air pollution) and contribute to degradation of waters (see Eutrophication).
NLEA — Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-535).
NMA — National Meat Association. www.nmaonline.org.
NMFS — National Marine Fisheries Service. www.nmfs.noaa.gov.
NMPF — National Milk Producers Federation. www.nmpf.org.
No net cost — A requirement that certain commodity programs operate at no net cost to the federal government. The No-Net-Cost Tobacco Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-218) required an assessment on 1982 and subsequent tobacco crops to cover potential tobacco price support program losses. The 1985 farm bill (P.L. 99-198) required that USDA operate the sugar program for the first time at no cost; a provision repealed by the 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) and reinstated by the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171, Sec. 1401(a)). The 1996 changes to the peanut price support program were designed to ensure that it also operated at no cost. Subsequently, the peanut program was completely changed by the 2002 farm bill, but not in a manner to make it no-net-cost.
No net loss wetlands policy — The George W. Bush Administration (2001-2008) endorsed a no-net-loss policy goal for wetlands in 2003, continuing a policy that was first adopted by the George H.W. Bush Administration (1989-1992), and endorsed and updated by the Clinton Administration (1993-2000). The goal is to halt the decline in the overall number of wetland acres in the country. The current policy emphasizes mitigation and restoration to reduce losses. However, the no-net-loss policy refers only to acres and does not compare the functions and values of wetlands gained and lost. Also, this goal does not address the question of whether it is acceptable to destroy some wetlands if at least the same number of acres are created or restored at another site. Currently there are about 100 million wetland acres, compared to about 200 million when the country was first settled.
No Net Cost Tobacco Act of 1982 — P.L. 97-218 required that the tobacco price support program operate at no net cost to taxpayers, other than for the administrative expenses common to all price support programs. To satisfy this mandate, sellers and buyers (including importers) of tobacco were assessed equally to build a capital account that was drawn upon to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for any losses of principal and interest resulting from nonrecourse loan operations. Other provisions of this law provided for reducing the level of support for tobacco and made various modifications to the marketing quota and acreage allotment programs. No net cost assessments ended when price support was terminated after the 2004 crop.
No observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) — From long-term toxicological studies of agricultural chemical active ingredients, levels which indicate a safe, lifetime exposure level. Used in setting pesticide residue tolerances.
No-till farming — A method of planting crops that involves no seed bed preparation other than opening the soil to place individual seeds in holes or small slits; usually no cultivation during crop production; chemical weed control is normally used. No-till may be referred to as slot tillage or zero cultivation. See, for comparison, conservation tillage and minimum tillage.
NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. www.noaa.gov.
NOAEL — No observable adverse effect level.
Non-Attainment Area — An area considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as defined in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 (P.L. 91-604, Sec. 109). Non attainment areas must have and implement a plan to meet the standard, or risk losing some forms of federal financial assistance. An area may be a non-attainment area for one pollutant and an attainment area for others.
Non-indigenous species — See Invasive species, and Exotic species.
Non-native species — See Invasive species, and Exotic species.
Non-program crops — Sometimes the phrase implied any agricultural commodity not covered by federal commodity programs. More often it implied crops not eligible for target price deficiency payments prior to 1996 or not eligible for contract payments after 1996 (the program crops), but eligible for other forms of support. The phrase was replaced in law by the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 101-171), which adopted the phrases "covered commodities" and "loan commodities" to distinguish between programs.
Non-road emissions — Pollutants emitted by non-road engines and non-road vehicles, e.g., farm and construction equipment, gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, and power boats and outboard motors. Section 213 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7547), provides that the EPA can issue regulations to limit emissions from these sources.
Nonambulatory — See Downer (or downed animals).
Nonbasic commodities — Commodities, other than the basic commodities, for which USDA is authorized to provide price support in permanent law. This includes soybeans and other oilseeds, milk, sugar beets, and sugarcane.
Noncompetitive imports — A term used by the Economic Research Service in its reporting of agricultural trade statistics to refer to imports of commodities not widely produced in the United States. Commodities such as tea, bananas, or coffee are considered noncompetitive imports. In contrast, imported commodities that are also produced in the United States are referred to as competitive imports.
Nondegradation standard — Defined in the 2002 farm bill provisions establishing the Conservation Security Program (CSP; P.L. 107-171, Sec. 2001) to mean the level of measures required to protect and prevent degradation of 1 or more natural resources, as determined by the NRCS. Participating farmers' conservation security plans must address resources of concern and meet the appropriate nondegradation standard.
Noninsured Assistance Program (NAP) — Producers who grow a crop that is currently not eligible for crop insurance may be eligible for a direct payment under the Farm Service Agency's noninsured assistance program (NAP). NAP has permanent authority under the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994, (P.L. 103-354, as amended). To be eligible for a NAP payment, a producer first must apply for coverage under the program by the application closing date, which varies by crop, but is generally about 30 days prior to the final planting date for an annual crop. Like catastrophic crop insurance, NAP applicants also must pay a $100 per crop service fee at the time of application. In order to receive a NAP payment, a producer must experience at least a 50% crop loss caused by a natural disaster, or be prevented from planting more than 35% of intended crop acreage. For any losses in excess of the minimum loss threshold, a producer can receive 55% of the average market price for the covered commodity. Hence, NAP is similar to catastrophic crop insurance coverage in that it pays 55% of the market price for losses in excess of 50% of normal historic production. A producer of a noninsured crop is subject to a payment limit of $100,000 per person and is ineligible for a payment if the producer's qualifying gross revenues exceed $2 million. www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/disaster/nap.htm.
Nonmoney income — A statistical allowance used in farm income compilations to credit farmers with income for the value of farm products used on the farm (instead of being sold for cash) and the rental value of farm dwellings. It assumes farmers otherwise live rent-free on their farm business premises.
Nonpoint source pollution — Pollutants that are not discharged or emitted from a specific point source, such as a pipe or smokestack. Nonpoint water pollutants are often carried from dispersed, diverse sources into water channels by rain-induced runoff. Runoff from streets, open pit and strip mines, and agricultural fields are prominent examples (see Agricultural pollution). Nonpoint source air pollutants (often called fugitive emissions) include small dispersed sources (e.g., fireplace smoke, and uncontained emissions, like dust blown from fields and unpaved roads).
Nonrecourse loan — Farmers or processors participating in government commodity programs may pledge certain stored commodities as collateral and obtain a loan from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) at a commodity-specific, per-unit loan rate. The borrower may repay the loan, with interest, within a specified period and regain control of the commodity. Alternatively, the commodity can be forfeited to the CCC at the end of the term with no penalty. The government takes no recourse beyond accepting the commodity as full settlement of the loan. Under the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 101-171, Sec. 1001), "loan commodities" include wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, rice, soybeans, other oilseeds, wool, mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, and small chickpeas. Other commodities eligible for nonrecourse loans include peanuts, and sugar. For those commodities eligible for marketing assistance loan benefits, producers may repay the loan at the adjusted world price (rice and upland cotton) or posted county price (wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans, other oilseeds, wool, mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, and small chickpeas) or a loan repayment rate (peanuts). For those producers with commodities eligible for marketing assistance loans, but who agree to not utilize the loan program, loan deficiency payments provide an equivalent benefit. Historically, CCC acquisition of forfeited loan commodities became the method used to support market prices at the loan rate. Beginning with target price deficiency payments in the mid-1970s, generally it has been a goal to avoid distorting market prices when subsidizing farm incomes.
Nonrenewable resources — Nonrenewable resources, in contrast to renewable resources, do not naturally replenish themselves within time limits that permit sustained yield (i.e., minerals and hydrocarbons, such as phosphate rock, limestone, petroleum). Nonrenewable resources may be called stock resources because of their fixed supply. Some resources, such as soil and water, can be termed either nonrenewable or renewable depending on circumstances. For example, some underground reservoirs replenish so slowly they are effectively nonrenewable, such as the Ogallala Aquifer. Soil that is eroding faster than its T value faces eventual depletion.
Nontariff barriers (NTBs) — Any restriction, charge, or policy other than a tariff, that limits access of imported goods. Examples of nontariff barriers include quantitative restrictions, mainly import quotas and embargoes; import licenses; exchange controls; state trading enterprises; bilateral agreements; and certain rules and regulations on health, safety, and sanitation. The Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture requires conversion of NTBs to bound tariffs and tariff-rate quotas, and that sanitary and phytosanitary measures be based on scientific principles.
NOP — National Organic Program. www.ams.usda.gov:80/nop.
Normal crop acreage — The acreage on a farm normally devoted to a group of designated crops. When a set-aside program was in effect, a participating farm's total planted acreage of such designated crops plus set-aside acreage could not exceed the normal crop acreage. The authority for set-asides was eliminated by the 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127).
Normal flex acreage — A provision of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 requiring a mandatory 15% reduction in payment acreage. Under this provision, producers were ineligible to receive deficiency payments on 15% of their crop acreage base (not including any acreage removed from production under any production adjustment program). Producers, however, were allowed to plant any crop on this acreage, except fruits, vegetables, and other prohibited crops. Flex acreage was eliminated by the 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127).
Normal trade relations (NTR) — A phrase recently adopted in the United States in place of the more generally used phrase most-favored-nation (MFN). The mandate to replace most-favored-nation in all U.S. statutes was included in the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-206, Sec. 5003). Normal trade relations and most-favored-nation treatment means equal treatment of all countries with regard to tariff concessions. Under U.S. law, all countries other than those specifically denied it, have NTR status.
Normal yield — The average historic yield established for a particular farm or area. Can also describe average yields. Normal production would be the normal crop acreage planted multiplied by the normal yield. These measures, once required by commodity programs to calculate benefits are replaced by base acres, payment acres, and payment yield under the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 101-171, Sec. 1101-1102).
North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act — P.L. 103-182 (December 8, 1993) approved and implemented the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA pertains to cross-border trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. NAFTA substantially eliminated all nontariff barriers to agricultural trade between the United States and Mexico, generally through their conversion to tariff-rate quotas or ordinary tariffs, and maintained the provisions of the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement on agricultural trade. With respect to Mexico, the law eliminated tariffs on a broad range of agricultural products and provided for a phase-out over up to 15 years for tariffs on other products. A special safeguard provision will apply to certain products, with a designated quantity of imports allowed at a NAFTA preferential tariff rate. NAFTA increases incentives for buying within the NAFTA region.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) — A multilateral agreement negotiated by the United States, Canada and Mexico that sets forth agreements to lower and/or eliminate unfair trade barriers that affect the trade of goods and services between the three countries. The President signed the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (P.L. 103-182) in December 1993 and NAFTA entered into force on January 1, 1994. The agriculture portion of NAFTA effectively is three bilateral agreements; U.S./Mexico, Mexico/Canada, and U.S./Canada. The U.S.-Canada agricultural agreement in NAFTA was negotiated previously as part of the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) — Standard industrial classification codes have been replaced in the 1997 Census of Agriculture by the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). NAICS is a unique, all-new system for classifying business establishments. It is the first economic classification system to be constructed based on a single economic concept. Economic units that use like processes to produce goods or services are grouped together. In the case of the Census of Agriculture, the shift from SIC codes to NAICS codes involves few changes. Farms are grouped into crop or livestock production and then into the subcategory that accounts for 50% or more of the total value of sales of agricultural products (i.e., cotton, tobacco, dairy). www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html.
North American Waterfowl Management Plan — An international program in cooperation with Mexico and Canada to protect, restore, enhance, and manage wetland ecosystems for migratory birds and other wildlife and fish. It was authorized by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-233). This program is administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, and USDA agencies participate as appropriate. By the end of 2001, the U.S. and its partners had invested $1.7 billion affecting more than 5 million acres of waterfowl habitat.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act — P.L. 101-233 (December 13, 1989) authorizes a wetlands habitat program, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which provides grants to protect and manage these habitats for migratory birds and other wetland wildlife in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A nine-member council meets periodically to decide which projects to fund. The program encourages private-public cost-sharing projects. It must allocate between 50% and 70% of all funds to projects in Mexico and Canada, and no more than 50% of the U.S. share for projects in these countries can come from federal funds. The Act was reauthorized through FY2007 in P.L. 107-308, which gradually increases the funding level to $75 million in the final year. Agricultural wetlands are not specifically identified in the law, and agricultural interests are not expressly represented on the council.
Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact — An agreement among the six New England states to support the farm price of milk used for fluid consumption at a higher level than under federally mandated minimum prices in the region. From 1997 until its expiration on September 30, 2001, the Northeast compact required processors in the region to pay dairy farmers at least $16.94/cwt. for farm milk used for fluid consumption. The law allowed membership in the compact to expand to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, if the prospective state was contiguous to a member state, and if the compact was approved by the state legislature of the prospective state and the U.S. Congress. Although many states expressed interest in joining the compact or forming a separate compact, no congressional approval was granted beyond the six New England states, because of strong opposition from Upper Midwest dairy farmers and dairy processors. The dairy compact has been replaced with Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) payments under the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171, Sec. 1502), which mandates direct federal payments to all participating dairy farmers nationwide when the minimum price for fluid farm milk in the Northeast falls below $16.94 per cwt.
Northern Europe (NE) cotton price — An average of the five lowest prices of several internationally-traded cottons (including cost, insurance, and freight) quoted for delivery in Northern Europe. The NE price is used by USDA in its formula for calculating the adjusted world price, used in administering marketing assistance loan and step 2 payment benefits under the cotton price support program.
Northwest Cattle Project — An agreement between the United States and Canada, first announced on October 22, 1997, that was initially intended to facilitate shipments of live cattle from the states of Montana and Washington to Canada. Such shipments had been blocked due to Canadian animal health rules. Canada revised its animal health import requirements for live cattle entering from these U.S. states among other things by recognizing areas deemed to be at low risk for certain animal diseases. The project has since been expanded to many more U.S. states, particularly after the two countries signed a joint cooperation agreement on a variety of agricultural matters in late 1998.
NOSB — National Organic Standards Board. www.ams.usda.gov/nosb.
Noxious weeds — Undesirable plants that infest either land or water resources and cause physical and economic damage. Under the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), which consolidated Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) authorities including almost all of the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act, P.L. 93-629; 7 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.), the APHIS works to prevent noxious weeds from entering the country, and conducts cooperative control/eradication programs with the states. Local governments frequently impose taxes on landowners to carry out noxious weed control programs.
NPB — National Pork Board. www.porkboard.org/Home/default.asp.
NPE — Nutrition Program for the Elderly.
NPHAP — National Pesticide Hazard Assessment Program.
NPPC — National Pork Producers Council. www.nppc.org.
NPR — National Performance Review.
NPS — Non-point source.
NRA — National Renderers Association. www.renderers.org.
NRA — National Restaurant Association. www.restaurant.org.
NRC — National Research Council (see National Academy of Sciences). www.nas.edu/nrc.
NRCS — Natural Resources Conservation Service. www.nrcs.usda.gov.
NRDP — National Rural Development Partnership. www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp.
NRECA — National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. www.nreca.org.
NRI — National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program; National Resources Inventory.
NRSP-7 — National Research Support Project 7, also know as the Minor Use Animal Drug Program, is the counterpart for animals of the IR-4 plant program. The program targets development of therapeutic drugs for minor species, such as small ruminants and aquatic species, plus support for drugs for minor use within major species. It is carried out in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine. www.nrsp-7.org.
NSLA — Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (P.L. 79-396; 42 U.S.C. 751 et seq.).
NSLP — National School Lunch Program.
NSSC — National Soil Survey Center. soils.usda.gov.
NSSP — National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
NTB's — Nontariff barriers.
NTF — National Turkey Federation. www.turkeyfed.org.
NTP — National Toxicology Program.
NTR — Normal trade relations.
Nutraceuticals — See Farmaceuticals, and Functional foods.
Nutrient management plan — A farm conservation plan developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for a landowner that describes how nutrients will be stored, used, and disposed of to minimize environmental problems such as water pollution. In animal agriculture, managing nutrients often accomplished through manure management.
Nutrient pollution — Contamination by excessive inputs of nutrient. A primary cause of eutrophication of surface waters, in which excess nutrients, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, stimulate algal growth. Sources of nutrient pollution include runoff from fields and pastures, discharges from septic tanks and feedlots, and emissions from combustion.
Nutrition Assistance Grants — These are federal grants for programs that operate, in lieu of the Food Stamp program, in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Nutrition education / Team Nutrition Network — Through FY2004, the Section 19 of the of the Child Nutrition Act authorized funding for nutrition education efforts connected with child nutrition programs--the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) program. Beginning with FY2005, this was changed to an authorization of funding for a Team Nutrition Network. Section 19 now authorizes money for a program of grants (in consultation with the Education Department) to fund nutrition education efforts (linked to the promotion of physical activity). States and local educational agencies are eligible for these grants. However, no funding has been appropriated for either the NET program or the Team Nutrition Network in recent years.
Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program — A program authorized through FY2003 under Section 19 of the Child Nutrition Act (P.L. 89-642). Funds are authorized to make grants to all states for a nutrition education program that targets school children, teachers, parents, and food service workers. Appropriators have not funded the program since FY1998. Between its inception in 1977 and 1994, the NET program had a time-limited authorization and funding (averaging $5 million per year), which was provided under annual appropriations laws. In 1994, however, the Child Nutrition Act was amended (P.L. 103-448) to make NET permanent and funding of $10 million annually was mandated for the program. Two years later, amendments to the Child Nutrition Act (P.L. 104-193) restored NET to temporary status and again made funding for it subject to appropriations. The change in the authorizing statute occurred after the FY1997 appropriations had been enacted so it was necessary to reprogram funds from Team Nutrition ( $3.75 million) to continue NET activities for that year. The FY1998 appropriation for NET was $3.75 million. Subsequently, appropriators have funded nutrition education and training activities under Team Nutrition; no funding has been provided explicitly for the NET program.
Nutrition guidelines — Federal guidelines established for meals served in child nutrition meal service programs governing the types of foods and nutrient content required in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990 — P.L. 101-535 mandated for the first time that most foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration must be sold with nutrition labeling. The Act changed the list of nutrients that must appear on nutrition labels to focus on those of primary public health concern, adding saturated fat, cholesterol, total and subgroups of carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. Nutrition information was required on packaged and bulk foods, with few exceptions. A voluntary program was established for produce and seafood. Although NLEA did not directly affect the labeling of meat and poultry, which is under the jurisdiction of USDA, comparable changes were made in the USDA labeling program for meat and poultry products in order to provide consistent nutrition labeling information on all food products for consumers.
Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) — Formerly known as Nutrition Program for the Elderly (NPE) this program--authorized under Older Americans Act (P.L. 89-73, as amended)--provides cash subsidies (funded under the budget for the Department of Health and Human Services) and USDA-donated commodities to projects serving meals to the elderly. www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/nsip/default.htm.
NWA — National WIC Association. www.nwica.org.
NWF — National Wildlife Federation. www.nwf.org.
NWR — National Wildlife Refuge.
NWRS — National Wildlife Refuge System. refuges.fws.gov.
NWS — National Weather Service. www.nws.noaa.gov.
NYBOT — New York Board of Trade. www.nybot.com.