Equity Commission

USDA Announces Remote Beef Grading Pilot Program

Will Jordan Beef, Cattle

Many producers have found added value for their cattle through marketing freezer beef in their communities. Until now, though inspected for sale by USDA, those locally slaughtered cattle have been left without valuable quality grades. Following a recent feasibility study, USDA has announced a pilot program for remote beef grading. United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, announced the remote …

Equity Commission

Vilsack Discusses New USDA AMS Position

Will Jordan USDA-AMS

by Will Jordan The USDA announced in early November the addition of a new permanent senior-level career position in the Agricultural Marketing Service. The AMS Chief Competition Officer position was established to enhance the implementation of market competition priorities set by AMS. This position will focus on improving communication between USDA and the Department of Justice to enforce the Packers …

Secretary Vilsack Urges Caution in Statements About Ukraine

Josh McGill General

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined other G7 agriculture ministers Friday morning in a virtual meeting with Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Roman Leshchenko. Following that virtual meeting, Vilsack took the stage at Commodity Classic in New Orleans to give the keynote address, then met with a small group of agriculture journalists, where he shared more of what was discussed in that virtual …

National Ag Day

Proclamation Issued for National Agriculture Day 2021

Dan General

National Agriculture Day 2021 is Tuesday, March 23. The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level. To learn more about National Ag Day, click here. President Joe Biden issued a Proclamation and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack make a statement regarding this momentous day. A Proclamation on National Agriculture Day, 2021 MARCH 22, 2021 On National Agriculture Day, …

american rescue plan

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack on Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act

Dan Economy, Legislative, USDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement today on the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act by the U.S. Congress. The bill now goes to President Biden for his signature. For a detailed review, see the USDA fact sheet (see below). “President Biden wasted no time fulfilling his pledge to the American people to bring substantial financial relief within …

vilsack

Vilsack’s First Priority Is Containing the Pandemic

Dan Coronavirus, General

The newly-confirmed Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is already busy trying to help rural areas of the country get through the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, Vilsack said his first priority is working to contain the pandemic. Vilsack announced the $42 million will go towards grants to help rural communities, healthcare centers, and schools through their …

tom vilsack

Ag Groups Congratulate Vilsack on Confirmation as Agriculture Secretary

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Energy, General, Wheat

Farm Bureau Congratulates Tom Vilsack on Confirmation (AFBF) — American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the confirmation of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. “AFBF congratulates Tom Vilsack on his confirmation as the next Secretary of Agriculture. His strong track record of leadership and previous experience at USDA will serve rural America well. “Secretary Vilsack and I have …

vilsack

Vilsack Looks Ahead at Various Issues

Dan General, USDA

U.S. Agriculture Secretary-designate Tom Vilsack recently listed some of the top issues he’s concerned about, Tyron Spearman has the story. The Senate Agriculture Committee this week did approve Vilsack to return to the helm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The overall process is still waiting for confirmation by the full Senate.

vilsack

Tom Vilsack Approved by Senate Ag Committee

Dan Legislative

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday afternoon did approve President Biden’s nomination of Tom Vilsack to return to the helm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as Secretary of Agriculture. Many commodity and other agriculture groups are pleased to see Vilsack resume his role at USDA. According to a story from Gary Crawford, Tom Vilsack’s confirmation hearing to be the …