Elevated winter colony losses have not resulted in enduring declines in colony numbers, according to new data released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Instead, the number of U.S. honey bee colonies is either stable or growing depending on the dataset being considered. USDA says at the state level, loss rates are uncorrelated with year-to-year changes in the number of …
Court to Hear OTA Suit Against USDA Organic Livestock Rule Withdraw
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last week agreed to hear a challenge by the Organic Trade Association against the Department of Agriculture. OTA is challenging the agencies decision and process to withdraw organic livestock standards. USDA in March withdrew the final Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices regulation, which was to go into effect in May. The …
Most Americans Confused About GMOs
A new survey by GMO Answers shows many Americans remain confused over genetically modified organisms, and that this lack of knowledge may be driving overall uncertainty and discomfort. However, the organization says concern and confusion do not equate to rejection, as the survey finds that nearly the same number of Americans want to learn more about GMOs. The survey’s key …
Oriental Fruit Fly Eradicated in Miami-Dade County
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have declared eradication in the Oriental fruit fly outbreak in the predominantly agricultural Redland area of Miami-Dade County. Due to early detection and rapid response, no quarantine was required during this program. This successful Oriental fruit fly eradication is the second one during this …
USDA Back to The Drawing Board on GIPSA
When the U.S. Ag Department (USDA) sets its 2019 regulatory agenda, it will deal with the unsettled matter of rules governing interactions between contract producers and meatpackers. USDA is looking at bringing back the rulemaking process designed to balance the power between the two sides. Last year, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue made the decision to withdraw the final rule drafted …
September USDA Stocks Report Bearish
The USDA reported larger than expected inventories of corn, soybeans, and wheat in its September 1st Stocks Report, which analysts call bearish for the markets. The corn supplies came in at 2.14 billion bushels, which is 138 million more than the last estimate of old-crop carryout. USDA says feed usage was likely smaller than expected, reducing the number of bushels …
Advancing Animal Disease Traceability
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 …