Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told lawmakers this week he may be the lone political appointment at the Department of Agriculture until September, or later. Currently, 15 executive posts at USDA…
USDA to Speed Through GMO Labeling Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to finalize GMO disclosure standards within a nine-month time frame, what Politico calls a breakneck pace for any rulemaking. USDA in that timeframe will…
Agri View: Crime against Agriculture Continues
Everett Griner talks about crime against agriculture and how law enforcement is dealing with it in today’s Agri View. Agri View: Crime against Agriculture Continues In spite of all that…
Do Personality Traits in Pigs Matter?
…in the Department of Animal Science, is conducting a series of tests with four-week-old female piglets. The tests are meant to identify aggressive and social behaviors, along with measuring responses…
Critical Agricultural Water Resources Issues Funded
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 14 grants totaling more than $9 million to help solve critical water problems in rural and…
AFBF Details NAFTA Renegotiation Priorities
…NAFTA from agriculture’s perspective, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Under NAFTA, U.S. farmers and ranchers have seen their exports to Mexico and Canada grow significantly, from $8.9 billion…
Vilsack Joins Feeding America Board
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has joined the board of directors of Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Feeding America represents 200 food banks across all 50 states in…
Rural Unemployment Rates Declining
…higher saw unemployment rates fall from around four percent to two percent. Read the full USDA Economic Research Service Rural Employment and Unemployment report. From the National Association of Farm…
Opposition Rising Against Perdue Rural Development Pick
…concerned with the move that eliminated the undersecretary position because it lowers rural developments profile at USDA, according to the Hagstrom Report. In a USDA news release, the department said:…
USDA Seeks Cotton Board Nominees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill 13 member and 13 alternate positions on the Cotton Board. The Cotton Board represents Domestic cotton producers…
Food Safety Practices and Costs Under the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
Linda Calvin, Helen Jensen, Karen Klonsky, and Roberta Cook USDA Economic Research Service What Is the Issue? Foodborne illness linked to contaminated produce is a public health concern. The Food…
Duvall Praises Selection of Hazlett for Rural Development
…USDA’s effort to grow our rural economies. “As Congress weighs in on Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s proposal to reorganize USDA, we commend him for putting an experienced hand on his…
Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee Highlights Importance of Watershed Maintenance in Rural America
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to examine efforts to address small watershed infrastructure. Subcommittee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-3) and members heard from two panels…
National Farmers Union Submits NAFTA Comments to USTR
…model, citing its contribution to the massive U.S. trade deficit and abandonment of U.S. sovereignty to the detriment of farming and rural communities. He urged Lighthizer to use the NAFTA…