Stories by USDA Newswire on Federal Newswire

News Release: Approximately 450,000 Residential and Commercial Customers will Benefit WASHINGTON, May 30, 2019 – Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is providing $858 million in loans to upgrade rural electric systems in 17 states. The funding includes $64 million to finance smart grid technologies that improve system operations and monitor grid security.

USDA Announces Loans to Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure and Upgrade Energy Efficiency

News Release: Washington - Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is providing $858 million in loans to upgrade rural electric systems in 17 states (PDF, 111 KB). The funding includes $64 million to finance smart grid technologies that improve system operations and monitor grid security.

Chairman Peterson statement on the passing of former Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Thad Cochran

News Release: WASHINGTON - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota issued the following statement on the passing of former Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, Senator Thad Cochran...

Senators Raise Concerns that USDA Trade Aid will Continue to Benefit Foreign Corporations

News Release: WASHINGTON -Nine U.S. Senators, led by Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today raised concerns that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue to allow foreign companies to profit from the Trump Administration’s plan to assist American farmers affected by their trade policies.

Antibiotic Alternative Scores Well in Second Round of Swine Trials

News Release: Writer's Note: This story has been re-published to include final revisions that had not been made to the 5/29 version, which had been posted in error.

APHIS Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment for the Release of the Japanese knotweed psyllid to Biologically Control Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian Knotweeds

Release: USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has assessed the potential environmental impacts associated with releasing the Japanese knotweed psyllid (Aphalara itadori) to biologically control Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and F. x bohemica) ...

APHIS Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment for the Release of Cheilosia urbana to Biologically Control Invasive Hawkweeds

Release: USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has assessed the potential environmental impacts associated with releasing release of the hoverfly Cheilosia urbana to biologically control invasive hawkweeds (Pilosella species) within the contiguous United States. Based on a thorough analysis, APHIS ...

Agriculture Committee Schedule for the week of June 3, 2019

News Release: [NEW]. Wednesday, June 5, 2019 - 9:30AM. 1300 Longworth House Office Building. Washington, D.C. Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee Hearing. RE: “Examining the Impacts of Relocating USDA Research Agencies on Agriculture Research ".

AMS Issues Complaint against John B. Hagler

News Release: Washington - As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on May 7, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued an administrative complaint against John B. Hagler (Hagler) of Missouri, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

Perdue Responds to UGA Study on USMCA

By USDA Newswire | May 28, 2019

News Release: He oversees nation’s farm policy and he has bone to pick with UGA trade deal study By Secretary Sonny Perdue The Macon Telegraph and the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer May 26, 2019 … The University of Georgia recently published a study claiming the new United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement would cost some ...

USDA Appoints Rural Housing Service Administrator

By USDA Newswire | May 28, 2019

News Release: Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced the appointment of Bruce W. Lammers as the Administrator of Rural Development’s Rural Housing Service.

Across the Country, USDA Kicks Off Summer Meals

By USDA Newswire | May 26, 2019

Release: By Andrea Farmer. Food and Nutrition Service. The school year is out and summer meals are in! Around the country, places like schools, recreation centers, parks, churches, and libraries are serving free, nutritious summer meals to kids up to 18 years old through USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

In Case You Missed It: Secretary Perdue Announces Support for Farmers Impacted by Unjustified Retaliation and Trade Disruption

News Release: FOX Business – Mornings with Maria : “Hasn't been a president that has defended agriculture the way Trump has: Agriculture Secretary” 5.23.16 CNN – The Lead with Jake Tapper : “President Trump has committed $16 billion to get farmers through this time until we can get normal, fair, reciprocal trade agreements ...

USDA Selects 2019 Class of E. Kika De La Garza Fellows

News Release: WASHINGTON, May 24, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the selection of 18 faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the nation as 2019 E. Kika De La Garza Fellows. This summer fellowship program offers first-hand experiences in policymaking and research at USDA and other federal agencies.

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Mexico

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 113,000 metric tons of corn for delivery to Mexico during the 2018/2019 marketing year.

APHIS Reopens Public Comment Period for Proposed Updates to Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements

Release: Washington, D.C., May 24, 2019 -- The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reopening the comment period for proposed updates to the Animal Welfare Act licensing requirements, to allow the public an additional 15 days to prepare and submit ...

USDA Reminds Producers of Approaching Marketing Assistance Loan Deadlines