News and reports from the Department of Agriculture.

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced proposed steps to address competition issues in agricultural markets and create a fairer playing field for poultry growers and farmers. USDA is proposing the rule "Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems" to tackle abuses related to grower ranking payment systems and additional capital investment requirements commonly imposed on contract growers for broiler chicken.

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today issued a statement commemorating the 100th anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico, recognized as the world's first designated wilderness area.

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today issued a joint memo to federal agency leaders with wildfire responsibilities, outlining their vision and goals for managing wildland fires this year. The memo highlights fire management investments from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, as well as other strategic priorities to reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, engage in post-fire recovery, support the wildland fire workforce, and make communities more resilient to fire.

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 – As part of National Homeownership Month, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is celebrating 75 years of assisting millions in purchasing, repairing, and building affordable homes in rural and Tribal communities.

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced additional measures to safeguard the health and viability of the nation’s livestock and poultry. Following the initial detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle two months ago, USDA has collaborated with federal and state partners to understand and contain the virus. As part of these efforts, USDA is allocating an additional $824 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for emergency funding and launching a Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the appointments to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee. This committee aims to provide advice and recommendations on measures to enhance the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the Southeastern United States.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the signing of a formal agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to renew their Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (FIFLAW). The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also joined the collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste internationally.

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of several individuals to senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on protocols for a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main initiative under the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The information will be collected through a Request for Information and will inform a proposed rule to establish the program.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has conducted tests on beef tissue from 96 cull dairy cows condemned at select FSIS-inspected facilities. On May 22, 2024, viral particles were detected in tissue samples, including muscle, from one cow. To date, samples from 95 cows have tested negative for viral particles. No meat from these dairy cattle entered the food supply.

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2024 -- Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in March, the USDA has worked to assess the prevalence of the virus in U.S. dairy herds and to use scientific data to contain the disease. On May 10, USDA announced several financial assistance options for producers with affected herds.

On May 23, 2024, in Casco, Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new investment in domestic fertilizer projects aimed at strengthening competition for American farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda designed to stimulate economic growth from the middle out and bottom up.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, marking the start of summer, outdoor meals become more frequent. To help prevent foodborne illnesses during these activities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued several food safety tips.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Oklahoma residents recovering from severe storms and tornadoes beginning April 25, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $300 million to 66 U.S. organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). This initiative aims to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets globally.