(NAFB) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused its effort to mandate radio-frequency identification (RFID) ear tags for cattle and bison. The proposal would have mandated the ear tags for animals moved in interstate commerce beginning in January of 2023. A guidance document detailing the proposal on the USDA website was recently removed, following a lawsuit against the …
USDA Deputy Secretary Provides Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing last Thursday. U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky discussed implementation of the 2018 farm bill. Read Censky’s full testimony. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
USDA Invests in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in 31 States
Investments will Benefit Nearly 300,000 Rural Residents WASHINGTON (USDA-Oct. 16, 2019) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that USDA is investing $201 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 31 states (PDF). “Modern, reliable and accessible infrastructure is critical to economic development and quality of life,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President …
USDA Looking to Hire More Meat/Poultry Food Safety Inspectors
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is looking to hire new food safety inspectors. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
USDA Opens 2020 Enrollment for Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Enrollment Ends Dec. 13, 2019 WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 7, 2019) — Dairy producers can now enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for calendar year 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened signup for the program that helps producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. “We know it’s tough out there for American farmers, including …
USDA Announces Support for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will issue $16.2 million in grants (PDF) to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the …
USDA Invests $11M In Research That Will Support Specialty Crop Farmers
WASHINGTON (USDA-Oct. 3, 2019) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins announced that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $11 million in research that will support specialty crop farmers. “This collaborative public-private research effort will focus on applying innovative solutions to pest management problems that often are otherwise not available to specialty …
Agriculture Groups Urge USDA to Quickly Establish Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank
Representatives of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the National Corn Growers Association and Iowa State University called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move as quickly as possible to establish a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank. At a press conference today, these groups recognized the steps USDA has taken to establish …
USDA Investing in Recreational Public Access on Private Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they will make up to $50 million available to help create or expand state government and tribal programs that encourage landowners and land managers to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals from state governments and tribes …
USDA Runs National ASF Drill
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosted a four-day African swine fever (ASF) exercise with state animal health officials, producers and other industry stakeholders. The drill simulated various outbreak scenarios as those attending worked through response protocols spanning disease investigations, a confirmed outbreak, depopulation and disposal, control zones and permitting processes. National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Chief Veterinarian Liz …