On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its latest efforts to advance and improve animal disease traceability to protect our nation’s livestock industry. Rod Bain has the details. Advancing Animal Disease Traceability-1 Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach, notes how discussions with the livestock industry led to their announcement on improved animal disease traceability. …
Perdue Defends USDA Reorganization Plan that Moves Offices Out of DC
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this week defended every aspect of his proposal to move some Agriculture Department offices out of the Washington Area. USDA has plans to place the Economic Research Service under the Office of the Chief Economist and to move most National Institute for Food and Agriculture employees out of Washington. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee …
Bigger Than Expected Numbers in USDA’s Cattle on Feed Report
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Cattle on Feed Report, the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States on Sept. 1 was 11.1 million head, 6 percent above Sept. 1, 2017. This is the highest Sept. 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. Placements in feedlots during August …
USDA Details Trade Damage Estimate Calculations
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released a detailed accounting of how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculated estimated damage from trade disruptions. USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist developed an estimate of gross trade damages for commodities with assessed retaliatory tariffs by Canada, China, the European Union, Mexico, and Turkey to set commodity payment rates and purchase levels …
USDA Expects Increase in Corn Production
USDA is estimating higher corn production totals. Stephanie Ho has the details. USDA Expects Increase in Corn Production Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef …
Senate Ag Leaders Question USDA Reorganization
Leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee are expressing concerns over the Department of Agriculture’s reorganization plans. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow wrote Secretary Sonny Perdue recently, noting that stakeholders have expressed concerns over the USDA plan to place economics functions under the Office of the Secretary and to move most of the employees of the Economic Research Service and …
USDA Partners with Communities to Support Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Opportunities in Rural America
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural communities in 22 states to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery (PDF, 162 KB). “With its impact on workforce, quality of life and the economic vitality of rural communities from Maine to California, the opioid epidemic is more …
USDA to Implement Regulatory Reforms to Increase Access to Capital in Rural Areas
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is hosting listening sessions to solicit feedback on a plan to increase access to capital in rural areas by streamlining regulations for four Rural Development loan guarantee programs. “At USDA, we know that for many rural communities the regulations that govern our programs can be outdated and difficult to …
USDA Provides Help for Rural People Recovering From Opioid Misuse
Anne Hazlett, the USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, announced that the agency has formalized an agreement to aid rural Americans in fighting the opioid epidemic. A nonprofit organization will purchase homes from the Department and convert them to transitional housing for people recovering from opioid misuse. “From the quality of life to workforce and economic opportunity, the …
USDA to Make Food Purchases
As a part of USDA’s Market Facilitation Program, food purchases will be made. Tyron Spearman has the details. USDA to Make Food Purchases Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida …