Stories by USDA Newswire on Federal Newswire

News Release: (Washington, D.C., April 12, 2019) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20th, 2018 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementation of key programs. USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public, specific to each agency’s respective mission areas.

USDA Publishes SNAP Final Rule; Implements Key Eligibility Reforms, Safeguards

Release: WASHINGTON, DC, April 12, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a final rule today designed to ensure that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) standards on eligibility for students and restrictions for lottery winners and convicted felons are consistently applied, and that program integrity is secure.

Higher Limits Now Available on USDA Farm Loans

News Release: Washington - Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and made changes to other loans, such as microloans and emergency loans.

USDA Announces Reopening of Public Comment Period for Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment for GE Citrus Tristeza Virus Permit

Release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announces today that we are reopening the public review and comment period for a draft Environmental Impact Statement (dEIS) and preliminary Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) prepared in response to a permit application ...

2017 Census of Agriculture Data Now Available

News Release: Data show increases in small and large farms; older farmers; and new military service and demographic information, women farmers (WASHINGTON, D.C., April 11, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture, spanning some 6.4 million new ...

Perdue Statement on Vietnam's Ban on the Importation of Glyphosate

News Release: (Washington, D.C., April 11, 2019) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) that Vietnam will ban the importation of glyphosate: “We are disappointed in Vietnam’s decision ...

USDA Issues Default Decision to Raymond Frank Christie Doing Business as Christie Livestock and Assesses $13,600 Civil Penalty

News Release: Washington - As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has prevailed in an administrative proceeding against Raymond Frank Christie, also known as Ray Christie, doing business as Christie...

USDA Proposes Updated NPIP Program Standards

Release: Summary:The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) is a cooperative Federal-State-Industry mechanism for controlling certain poultry diseases. NPIP’s General Conference Committee made changes to NPIP program standards to keep in line with the latest science, technology and best practices. USDA is publishing these proposed changes to the program standards for public review and comment. View more information here.

AMS Reaches a Settlement with L2 Cattle Corporation Inc. and Ronnie Lewis

News Release: Washington - As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) settled a complaint on Feb. 28, 2019, against L2 Cattle Corporation Inc., and Ronnie Lewis, Dade City, Fla., for suspected violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

Three Scientists Named to ARS Science Hall of Fame

News Release: BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND, April 10, 2019-Three scientists have earned a place in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Science Hall of Fame for their pioneering and impactful research in agriculture sustainability, swine disease and control, and fungi of major significance to agricultural production, food safety and public health.

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

News Release: Washington - As part of its efforts to ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation...

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Unknown Destinations

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 133,759 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 2018/2019 marketing year.

Chairman Roberts Hears Stakeholder, Participant Perspectives Ahead of Child Nutrition Reauthorization

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Committee prepares to reauthorize federal child nutrition programs, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a hearing titled, “Perspectives on Child Nutrition Reauthorization."

Ranking Member Stabenow Opening Statement at Child Nutrition Reauthorization Hearing

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, today released the following opening statement at the hearing titled “Perspectives on Child Nutrition Reauthorization."

USDA, EPA, and FDA Unveil Strategy to Reduce Food Waste

News Release: Bring State and Local Partners Together to Increase Collaboration (Washington, D.C., April 9, 2019) — Today, as part of the Trump Administration’s Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month , the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug ...

APHIS Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment for Importing Plants in Approved Growing Media

Release: Washington, D.C., April 9, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared and is accepting comments on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for importing plants in approved growing media into the United States. The EA considers the potential ...

House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Welcomes 4-H Youth Leaders

News Release: (April 9, 2019) - Fifteen 4-H youth leaders from around the country visited with the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research today, including Subcommittee Chairwoman Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ranking Member Neal Dunn of Florida; as well as Committee...

USDA's Agricultural Research Service Honors Scientists of the Year