USDA officials are reportedly developing an alternative set of guidelines on antibiotic use in animal agriculture, rather than abide by those developed at the World Health Organization. The WHO recommendations first came out last November, proposing to end the use of medically important antibiotics in healthy animals to promote growth and prevent disease. The agency wanted the drugs only used …
Latest Pasture Condition Numbers
A drop in good pasture condition ratings this past week is equivalent to an increase in poor pasture ratings. USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, has a detailed look at pasture conditions around the country. Latest Pasture Condition Numbers Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials …
Reports Show Beef Herd Expansion Slowing Down
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released two reports concerning the cattle industry. The semi-annual Cattle Inventory report shows that as of July 1, all cattle and calves in the United States totaled 103 million head, 1 percent above the 102 million head on July 1, 2017. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.9 million head, …
USDA Applauds Housing Eligibility for Temporary Farm Workers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released internal guidance on changes made to farm labor housing eligibility. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 amended a section of the Housing Act of 1949 to extend the Farm Labor Housing tenant eligibility to agricultural workers legally admitted to the United States and authorized to work in agriculture. Due to this rule change, …
Pork Industry Hit from All Sides
The pork industry is holding some of its highest inventory of hogs and pigs since the USDA began recording the data back in 1964. That’s according the to the Hogs and Pigs Report that came out Thursday. Politico says pork checkoff experts struggled to find a bright spot for hog producers in the months ahead. “We’re looking at an awful …
Soybeans Overtake Corn in USDA Acreage Report
Soybean planted acreage topped corn for the first time since 1983, the USDA reported in its Planted Acreage Report on Friday. Soybean acreage is 89.6 million acres. That’s actually 1 percent lower than last year as planted acres are either down or unchanged in 14 of the 31 biggest soybean states. Corn acres are also down 1 percent from last …
USDA Report Highlights Benefits of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for Farmers
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today highlighted a new report showing the positive impacts of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) on American farms. Six months after the President signed the tax cuts and reforms into law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) has released a report, titled “Estimated Effects …
USDA Taking Comments on Product of USA Label
The Department of Agriculture is accepting public comment on a policy that allows foreign beef to be labeled as “Product of USA” if inspected in the United States. The comment period opened last week following a petition by the American Grassfed Association and the Organization for Competitive Markets. The petition demands the Food Safety Inspection Service policy be changed to …
Trump Reorganization Plan Offers Big Changes to USDA
A government reorganization plan by President Trump would rename the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Health and Public Welfare. Notably, the plan would move the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from the Department of Agriculture to the new so-called welfare department. The plan would also reorganize USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the food safety …
Perdue Announces New Budget Director at USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the selection of Erica Navarro to serve as Director of the Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). OBPA administers the Department’s budgetary functions and also develops and presents budget-related matters. The Director is responsible for providing leadership in carrying out Department-wide responsibilities in policy analysis, …