USDA Planning Trade Aid Round Two Distribution

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is readying round-two of trade mitigation payments for farmers. The payments are the second half of the $12 billion program by the Trump administration to compensate farmers for losses stemming from Trump’s trade agenda. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said he doesn’t expect the payments “any later than December,” according to Politico. USDA previously used about …

USDA’s Final Pasture Report for the Season

USDA has released their final pasture report for 2018, and Stephanie Ho has a story on how the nation’s pastures are shaping up in this last report for the season. Final Pasture Report-1 USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey points to some surprisingly well-rated pastures in the middle of the country. Final Pasture Report-2 Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To …

Beef Cattle Industry–Expanding, Contracting or Steady?

Are U.S. beef cattle producers finally entering a liquidation phase? According to a story from Gary Crawford, a new USDA report offers some clues. Beef Cattle Industry–Expanding, Contracting or Steady Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through …

USDA Announces 2019 Agricultural Outlook Forum

Early bird registration is now open for the 95th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF), the largest annual meeting of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This two-day event will take place on Feb. 21-22, 2019, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. This year’s forum, which is being held under the theme “Growing Locally, Selling Globally,” highlights current issues and …

NCC Says USDA Must Take Part in Regulation of Cell-Cultured Meat Products

The National Chicken Council (NCC) delivered its priorities for cell-cultured meat products as part of the first joint meeting between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on the use of cell culture technology to develop products derived from livestock and poultry. “As these new technologies are being explored, it is critical that they receive fair and …

NCBA to Reiterate Unwavering Support for USDA Oversight of Lab-Grown Fake Meat

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will highlight the food safety and product labeling expertise of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during a two-day public meeting on lab-grown fake meat. The public meeting, hosted jointly by USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), takes place October 23-24. The meeting agenda lists a wide range of topics for consideration, …

September Feedlot Placements Lower than Expected

USDA’s latest Cattle on feed Report indicates the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. totaled 11.4 million head on October 1, 2018, five percent above October 1, 2017. And in a story from Gary Crawford, there were some unexpected twists and turns in this report. September Feedlot Placements Lower than Expected Sponsored …

USDA Announces Receipt of 136 Expressions of Interest in Hosting ERS & NIFA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has received 136 expressions of interest from parties in 35 states interested in becoming the new homes of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).  In August, Perdue announced that most ERS and NIFA personnel would be moving to outside the …

Beagle Brigade Helping Protect Homeland Pork

When Hardy, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trained detector dog, sniffed out a roasted pig head in traveler baggage at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International airport early this month, it underscored the efforts USDA and its partners are undertaking to keep African Swine Fever (ASF), a swine disease that could devastate the U.S. pork producers, from entering the country. USDA continues …

EPA Chief Says E15 Expansion Doesn’t Need Congress

Andrew Wheeler, Acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, says his agency can expand E15 sales to year-round without Congressional approval. Wheeler also said last week that the oil industry needs to drop its lawsuit threat against the move. Last week, President Trump said he was directing the EPA to lift the ban on summertime sales of E15, a move designed …