News from May 2023


USDA-ARS Research Entomologist Named Finalist in the Samuel J. Heyman Service To America Medal

Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, is being honored today as a finalist for a 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (the Sammies) as an Emerging Leader for her pioneering work designing ways to use insects as biological controls for other bugs that damage crops, especially apples and pears, which limits the need for some pesticides, cutting costs for farmers and protecting the environment.


Scientists Use Gene-Editing Technology to Produce First Calf Resistant to Major Viral Disease

Scientists have collaborated to produce the first gene-edited calf with resistance to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a virus that costs the U.S. cattle sector billions of dollars annually.


The Impact of Recent Trade Agreements on Japan’s Pork Market

Between 2018 and 2021, Japan ratified trade agreements that will virtually eliminate its pork import barriers by 2028.


The Prevalence of the “Natural” Claim on Food Product Packaging

U.S. food suppliers make claims about their production processes on food packaging that highlight attributes some consumers want while charging a higher price than for unlabeled products.


NIFA Invests Over $13M in Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Program

The AFRI Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation Program promotes innovative work in cellular, molecular, genomic and whole-animal aspects of nutrition, growth and lactation.


NIFA Invests $9M in Extension, Education and USDA Climate Hubs Partnership

The A1721 Extension, Education and USDA Climate Hubs Partnership program area priority within AFRI’s Foundational and Applied Science Program supports projects that provide effective, translatable and scalable approaches to address climate change through regional partnerships including the USDA Climate Hubs and Extension (e.g., the Cooperative Extension Service).


20 press releases published in January by U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service

There were 20 press releases published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service in January.


NIFA Invests Nearly $8M in Regional Innovations for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry

The purpose of the CAFF program area priority in AFRI’s Foundational and Applied Science program area is to establish an agricultural testbed and demonstration farm for climate-smart agriculture and forestry.


USDA Seeks Cotton Board Nominees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations of domestic cotton producers from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, and importers of cotton and cotton-containing products for positions on the Cotton Board.


Pre-Solicitation Announcement for American Agriculture Feeds Kids and Families Acquisition Phase 2

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing plans to purchase a variety of protein items to support activities to leverage American Agriculture to feed kids and families.


Pre-Solicitation Announcement for Section 32 Purchase of Pacific Groundfish/Seafood Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Pacific Groundfish/Seafood Products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.


Pre-Solicitation Announcement for Section 32 Purchase of Salmon Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Salmon Products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.


Pre-Solicitation Announcement for Section 32 Purchase of Almonds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Almonds for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.


USDA Announces Finalists for Twelve New USDA Regional Food Business Centers and $420 Million in Funding to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of 12 new USDA Regional Food Business Centers that will provide national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources, thereby closing the gaps to success.


USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Double Creek Livestock LLC

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Double Creek Livestock LLC (Double Creek) of Demopolis, Ala., on March 30, 2023, for alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, Double Creek waived its rights to a hearing and paid a civil penalty of $750.


USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Nebraska Beef LTD

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Nebraska Beef LTD (Nebraska Beef) of Omaha, Neb., on April 13, 2023, for an alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, Nebraska Beef waived its rights to a hearing and paid a civil penalty of $13,000.


USDA Publishes Final Rule for Exceptions to Geographic Boundaries; Federal Grain Inspection Service to Host Webinar to Discuss Details

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule in response to the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) which amended the U.S. Grain Standards Act to allow official grain inspection agency (OA) customers to obtain official services from providers other than their assigned OA.


USDA Notifies Sellers Who Sold Livestock to McClain Farms Inc., 7M Cattle Feeders Inc., McClain Feed Yard Inc., Brian McClain of Benton, Kentucky, of Need to File Dealer Trust Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is notifying anyone who sold livestock to and has not received payment from McClain Farms Inc., 7M Cattle Feeders Inc., McClain Feed Yard Inc., or Brian McClain to file Dealer Trust claims promptly.


USDA Announces New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets and Support Producers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification.


16 press releases published in February by U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency

There were 16 press releases published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in February.