Although the U.S. food supply is one of the safest, foodborne illness is a public health concern. The Food and Drug Administration has a new rule requiring detailed records for certain foods as they move through the supply chain, which can help trace the source of a potential outbreak. FDA has taken steps like issuing…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
USDA Launches Pilot Beef-Grading Program
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a pilot program to allow more cattle producers and meat processors to access better markets through USDA’s official beef quality grading and certification. The Remote Grading Pilot for Beef, developed by the AMS, matches simple technology with robust data management and program oversight to allow a USDA grader to assess…… MORE
Large Family Farms Account For Most Of Commodity Production
Large-scale family farms accounted for a majority of the value of commodity production in 2022, according to a new report from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Specifically, these farms accounted for 76% of dairy products, 65% of specialty crops, 65% of cotton, 51% of cash grains and soybeans along with 56% of hog production. On the…… MORE
USDA Market Development Program Investments
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is awarding more than $200 million to nearly 70 agricultural organizations to help expand export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products. The expansion efforts will happen through the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program. “Over the year, we’ve seen the tremendous impact both MAP and FMD…… MORE
Millions of Birds Die During Two Years of Bird Flu
One-fourth of America’s bird flu losses during outbreaks beginning in early 2022 were recorded during the final quarter of 2023. USDA data says that’s when the disease staged a resurgence. Approximately 20.9 million birds were culled in infected domestic flocks from October through December to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Successful Farming…… MORE
Over 1,250 Producers Qualify Under Prop 12
The California Department of Food and Agriculture says there are more than 1,250 agricultural producers and distributors in compliance with Proposition 12. After multiple delays brought on by court challenges and the need for a Supreme Court ruling, Prop 12 is now in effect. The CDFA says producers are prepared the meet the state’s demand…… MORE
Workshop Series for Veterans Focuses on Agritourism
Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops highlighting farm stores, onsite and off. The course is free and is also open to active military service members. Hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs, the 11-session series, “Agritourism through Farm Stores,” starts February 19 and runs through…… MORE
National Agricultural Law Center Recaps Top 2023 Issues
The Waters of the U.S. rule rewrite topped the list of agricultural issues for the National Agricultural Law Center in 2023. While WOTUS was the top issue for 2024, California’s Proposition 12 came in second, with the one-year Farm Bill extension third. The organization listed EPA’s rollout of the Endangered Species Protection Program and the…… MORE
Farm Equipment Dealers Expect a Tough 2024
The ag equipment market began a downward trend a year ago. Dealers say that 2024 might be their roughest year since COVID in 2020. The “Dealer Business Outlook and Trends Report” shows a combination of recovering inventories, high interest rates, and a general economic downturn that has dealers preparing to weather a storm in 2024.…… MORE
USDA Looking for Public Input
The USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service is looking for feedback on its estimating programs. “Upon completion of the Census of Agriculture, the USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service conducts a thorough review of its estimating programs,” the Ag Statistics Board at NASS said in a release. “The goal of the review is to ensure that the…… MORE
