Stories by USDA Newswire on Federal Newswire

Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding $14.4 million to 76 projects with states, universities, and other partners to strengthen our programs to protect animal health. This critical funding supports projects focused on increasing ...

Dec. 11 Deadline Approaching for USDA Program for Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by COVID-19

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers facing market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.

APHIS Seeks Comments on Draft Pest Risk Assessment for the Importation of Propagative Plants of Ulmus davidiana Planch from the Republic of Korea into the Continental United States

Release: The government of South Korea has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of bunjae (miniaturized plants) of elm,Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) for propagation into the continental United States. APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that describes ...

APHIS Reopens Comment Period on Request to Produce FMD Vaccine on U.S. Mainland

Release: Washington - In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sought public comment on a petition from a vaccine manufacturer seeking approval to produce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine consisting of a modified non-infectious and non-transmissible ...

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for December 2020

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for December 2020, which are effective December 1-Dec. 31, 2020.

USDA Designates Two Montana Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

News Release: Washington - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Montana counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Big Horn and Carter counties who suffered losses caused by recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.

USDA Designates Three Texas Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

News Release: Washington - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated three Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in El Paso, Garza and Kimble counties who suffered losses caused by recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Unknown Destinations

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture the following activity.

APHIS Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Biological Control of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian Knotweeds

Release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued the final environmental assessment (EA) for releasing Japanese knotweed psyllid (Aphalara itadori) to manage Japanese, giant, and bohemian knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and their hybrid, ...

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Mexico

By USDA Newswire | Nov 27, 2020

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 302,160 metric tons of corn for delivery to Mexico during the 2020/2021 marketing year.

USDA Restricts PACA Violators in California, Florida and Texas from Operating in the Produce Industry

By USDA Newswire | Nov 25, 2020

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions...

Fungus Commits Floral Fraud to Fool Insects into Spreading It

News Release: The spores of some fungi can linger in the environment for months or years just waiting for something to spread them elsewhere, like a gust of wind, falling rain or a passing insect or animal. Not so with Fusarium xyrophilum, a fungus found growing on two types of yellow-eyed grass in the savannas of Guyana, South America, and reported in the December 2019 issue of Mycologia.

USDA Publishes Proposed Rule Maintaining School Meal Flexibilities

Release: In line with USDA’s unwavering promise to serve America’s children well through school meal programs, the department today announced it will publish a proposed rule maintaining flexibility for schools to serve tasty meals their kids will be eager to eat. These proposed changes respond directly to the needs of nutrition professionals who are the experts on-the-ground, hearing from our children every day.

APHIS Updates Federal Domestic Soil Quarantines Map

Release: APHIS updated the to include the following changes:APHIS restricts the movement of domestic soil from areas within the continental United States that are under quarantine for specific plant pests. The Federal Domestic Soil Quarantines Map provides an overview of the plant pest quarantines that affect ...

Roberts, Stabenow Announce Hearing on Research and Securing America’s Food Supply

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today announced the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Agricultural Research and Securing the United States Food Supply."

Tennessee Firm Posts $400,000 Surety Bond to Obtain PACA License

News Release: Washington - Legendary Baking I LLC, trading as J. Horners, operating out of Nashville, Tenn., has posted a $400,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

USDA Launches AskUSDA, Improves and Streamlines Customer Experience

News Release: (Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2020) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the official launch of the AskUSDA Contact Center program. The AskUSDA Contact Center will serve as the “one front door” for phone, chat, and web inquires, transforming how the public interacts with USDA and providing an enhanced experience for the public.

USDA Shares Easy At-Home Advice for Handling Food Safely this Thanksgiving

News Release: (Washington, D.C., Nov. 23, 2020) – This week, Americans will enjoy a delicious meal on Thanksgiving Day with family and friends – either in person or virtually. Taking the necessary steps toward safe food handling and sanitation will help protect you and your loved ones this year. To make sure your Thanksgiving meal is prepared safely, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering food safety advice to reduce foodborne illness, including on Thanksgiving Day.

USDA Launches AskUSDA to Improve and Streamline Customer Experience