After a months-long investigation into thousands of reports from people who received unsolicited seed packages in the mail last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing additional guidance to help online buyers and sellers comply with U.S. laws when they import seeds and live plants for planting from other countries. APHIS …
USDA Announces Dealer Statutory Trust to Protect Livestock Sellers
The Department of Agriculture this week announced a new Dealer Statutory Trust to Protect Livestock Sellers. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed in December, amended the Packers and Stockyards Act by adding language to establish a “Dealer Statutory Trust” for the benefit of unpaid cash sellers of livestock. Much like the existing packer and poultry trusts, the amendment requires livestock dealers …
USDA, FDA Offer Update on Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging
The following statement about COVID-19 and its impact through food or food packaging can be attributed to Acting USDA Secretary Kevin Shea and Acting FDA Commission Janet Woodcock: After more than a year since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a global health emergency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. …
Crop Insurance Town Hall Held by Commissioner Nikki Fried and USDA
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried held a town hall meeting on crop insurance issues at Chipola College in Marianna, Florida. Fried was joined via Zoom by Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and other RMA senior and regional leaders to answer questions from agriculture producers on crop insurance and risk management. Photos/Video: A video recording and high-res …
USDA Ready to Assist Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Winter Storms
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families, and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers, and impacted communities. “USDA is committed to …
USDA Raises Forecasts for Corn Exports and Prices
The already bright prospects for U.S. corn exports and prices are getting a little brighter. Gary Crawford has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
USDA NASS Sees AFBF Report as Opportunity to Cooperate
A report, released last month by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), lays out several recommendations to improve the way the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collects surveys and reports data. It also gives recommendations to improve accuracy and farmer confidence in the survey results. After that report was released, Lance Honig, Chief of the Crops Branch of USDA NASS, …
USDA to Survey Planting Intentions
The cold, wet conditions being experienced across the Southeast has many wondering when the 2021 crop production season will ever begin. But with that time nearing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. “Each year, the agriculture industry awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides …
USDA Forecasts Drop in Farm Income in 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) just came out with its first farm income forecast for 2021. And according to a story from Gary Crawford, it could be an unusual income year. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer has more key numbers from the new farm income forecast. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, …
USDA Extends General Conservation Reserve Program Signup
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period. The previous deadline was Feb. 12, 2021. Acting Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Steve Peterson told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. The CRP program provides annual rental …