Latest News From USDA

How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation
How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation

According to Secretary Vilsack, these efforts will “increase the competitive advantage of U.S. agriculture both domestically and internationally,” while building wealth in rural America.

Time Running Out for Legislative Fixes to Cattle Market:  Divide Remains on Special Investigator at USDA
Time Running Out for Legislative Fixes to Cattle Market: Divide Remains on Special Investigator at USDA

The House recently passed the Lower Food and Fuels Cost Act which includes a special USDA investigator. However, there’s divide on if this is the right approach to restoring competition in the cattle market.

U.S. Triples Reforestation Spending for Wildfire Devastation With Help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
U.S. Triples Reforestation Spending for Wildfire Devastation With Help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

U.S. Forest Service reforestation funding rose to over $100 million this year as part of moves to plant more than a billion trees in a decade under the infrastructure package passed in 2021, USDA said in a statement.

Could Food Prices Ease in 2023? USDA's New Consumer Food Price Forecast Has a Bit of Good News
Could Food Prices Ease in 2023? USDA's New Consumer Food Price Forecast Has a Bit of Good News

USDA raised its consumer food price forecast again, to 8.5% to 9.5% for 2022. The agency had initially predicted a 2% to 3% rise in prices. Eggs, fats and oils, and poultry prices are making the biggest gains.

Senators Call On USDA To Improve ERP Disaster Assistance For Producers
Senators Call On USDA To Improve ERP Disaster Assistance For Producers

Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led their colleagues in requesting USDA to address ERP implementation issues. ERP helps producers offset impacts of natural disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021.

CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981
CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981

The CPI, an inflation gauge measuring what consumers pay for goods and services, rose 1.3% from May to June. Prices were up across the economy, with gasoline far outpacing other categories, up 11.2%.

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking
New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of 5,981 million metrics tons, of the U.S.’s total carbon contribution.

Mission to Market: Expanding Opportunities of U.S. Exports to the UK
Mission to Market: Expanding Opportunities of U.S. Exports to the UK

To bridge the gap between the U.S. and UK, a recent USDA trade mission focused on current barriers that challenge U.S. agricultural exports in the UK market.

USDA Reveals Farmers Have Received More Than $4 Billion in ERP Payouts to Date
USDA Reveals Farmers Have Received More Than $4 Billion in ERP Payouts to Date

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (formerly WHIP+), representing 67% of the $6 billion projected to be paid.

A Decade of Progress: USDA's Antimicrobial Resistance Workshop Set to Renew Action
A Decade of Progress: USDA's Antimicrobial Resistance Workshop Set to Renew Action

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will host a virtual Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Workshop on Aug. 30 to update stakeholders and renew action on the topic.

Vilsack Announces $2B in Funding to Transform U.S. Food System
Vilsack Announces $2B in Funding to Transform U.S. Food System

Transforming the U.S. food system by improving supply chains and addressing issues exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic was detailed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack during a speech at Georgetown University.

USDA Raises 2022 Food Inflation Forecasts Again, Highest Grocery Food Price Hikes in 42 Years
USDA Raises 2022 Food Inflation Forecasts Again, Highest Grocery Food Price Hikes in 42 Years

USDA raised its estimated range of 6.5%-7.5% y/y increase from a range of 5%-6%, according to the May Food Price Outlook report, the highest forecast for all food prices and restaurant prices since 1981.

Biden: Double Crop Because 'We Can't Take Any Chances'
Biden: Double Crop Because 'We Can't Take Any Chances'

Biden says Ukraine has 20 million tons of stored grain awaiting export to various countries. He says lack of port movement coupled with halted planting in Ukraine will ignite a global food crisis unless action is taken.

USDA 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More
USDA 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More

USDA's 2022 food price inflation forecasts are already at a 14-year high with forecasts for consumer food price inflation increased again this month. All food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% vs 4.5% to 5.5% in March.

Food at Home Prices Shot Up 10% — and American Shoppers are Willing to Fork Over the Extra Cash
Food at Home Prices Shot Up 10% — and American Shoppers are Willing to Fork Over the Extra Cash

Food prices continue to climb across the board. According to the latest Consumer Price Index, increasing grocery prices account for the largest share of the hike. However, shoppers don't view prices as high.

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Vilsack Says Only 1.8 Mil. of 4 Mil. Expiring CRP Acres Will Be Re-Enrolled

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided more details regarding the general CRP signup that ended March 11. He said only 1.8 million of the 4 million acres in expiring contracts will be re-enrolled in the program.

What You Need To Know About USDA Announcing Payments To Livestock Producers Hammered By Drought, Soaring Feed Costs
What You Need To Know About USDA Announcing Payments To Livestock Producers Hammered By Drought, Soaring Feed Costs

USDA says the launch of the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) will address increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021. Phase 1 of the payments is expected to total $577 million.

John Phipps: Is the U.S. Already Energy Independent?
John Phipps: Is the U.S. Already Energy Independent?

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, a recent U.S. Farm Report viewer asked about the U.S. and energy independence. John Phipps provides a reality check of the current situation when it comes to crude oil and petroleum.

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Biden's USDA Budget Proposal Seeks Big CRP Boost with $2.4B to Enroll Targeted 27 Million Acres

President Biden's USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.

Inflation Already Costing Consumers, USDA Makes Large Upward Revisions in Food Price Forecast
Inflation Already Costing Consumers, USDA Makes Large Upward Revisions in Food Price Forecast

USDA now expects food price inflation in 2022 to be from 4.5% to 5.5%, compared with 2021, based on the all-food Consumer Price Index. No category shows a potential decline.

Funding for Processors Continues into Summer 2022
Funding for Processors Continues into Summer 2022

Under Secy. Moffitt says her objective is to ensure producers have access to USDA dollars: “We see there’s a need for qualified technical expertise to capture the projects for producers and MPPTA will address that."

Seattle Selected for Port Pop-Up to Ease Ag Supply Chain
Seattle Selected for Port Pop-Up to Ease Ag Supply Chain

The Northwest Seaport Alliance is partnering the USDA to bring the Port of Seattle a 49-acre pop-up site that will accept both dry and refrigerated agricultural products for temporary storage.

Missed Opportunity? Biden's State Of The Union Hits Big Meat, Neglects Renewable Diesel
Missed Opportunity? Biden's State Of The Union Hits Big Meat, Neglects Renewable Diesel

As the Ukraine crisis continues to grab the world’s attention, President Biden's State of the Union address declared the U.S. is in a better place than it was a year ago, while agriculture was left largely unmentioned.

President Biden likely to address War, Food and Fuel Costs, Ocean Shipping Reform
President Biden likely to address War, Food and Fuel Costs, Ocean Shipping Reform

Expect Russia's invasion of Ukraine to dominate the State of the Union address tonight. As for issues affecting agriculture, there may be few details offered, says USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Overtakes Other Washington Issues as Congress Returns this Week
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Overtakes Other Washington Issues as Congress Returns this Week

Congress returns Monday, but to a very different situation due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is expected to be one of the key issues President Biden talks about during his State of the Union address.

Will Sustainable Fuel Power Your Farm Equipment In 10 Years?
Will Sustainable Fuel Power Your Farm Equipment In 10 Years?

Wiesemeyer says “you don’t spend some $300 million on these [soybean crushing] plants without a solid foundation of a market in the future.”

Will The USDA Pop-Up Site Solve The Clogged Ports Issue?
Will The USDA Pop-Up Site Solve The Clogged Ports Issue?

Rep. Garamendi says the USDA partnership with the Port of Oakland “isn’t going to solve the problem” because shippers deliver product to the U.S. and leave ports with empty containers.

Farmers Saw Biden's 30x30 Plan As A 'Land Grab,' Here's Why You No Longer Hear About It
Farmers Saw Biden's 30x30 Plan As A 'Land Grab,' Here's Why You No Longer Hear About It

AFBF President Zippy Duvall told members this week he will continue to press for policy that progresses agriculture, citing AFBF's work on changes to the White House's "America the Beautiful" plan as an example.

White House Will Push China to Make Up for $16B Trade Deficit in Phase One, Vilsack Tells American Farm Bureau
White House Will Push China to Make Up for $16B Trade Deficit in Phase One, Vilsack Tells American Farm Bureau

AFBF's in-person annual convention focused on everything from H-2A workers, drought, supply chain chaos and policy changes like the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the group Monday.

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Time is Ticking on the 2021 Policy Clock

The House and Senate are on recess this week, but work is ramping back up to finalize 2021 legislation before the New Year begins.

USDA Invests $32 Million to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain
USDA Invests $32 Million to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced on Monday the investment of $32 million in grants awarded to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency.

Cattle Market Compromise Ensures Transparency, Eliminates Confidentiality
Cattle Market Compromise Ensures Transparency, Eliminates Confidentiality

AgriTalk’s Chip Flory is accompanied by Iowa Cattlemen’s CEO Matt Deppe on Tuesday as they discuss the new Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act that U.S. Senators are expected to propose in coming days.

World Leaders Are Placing Big Bets On Agriculture In The Growing Climate Crisis Debate
World Leaders Are Placing Big Bets On Agriculture In The Growing Climate Crisis Debate

The Biden administration kicked off the nearly week-long trip EU climate trip with a $1 billion announcement. And there's more funds in the Build Back Better program, but some say details are still sparse.

From Historic Conservation Funding to Farmer Debt Relief, Who Will Pay for Biden's Revised Build Back Better Plan?
From Historic Conservation Funding to Farmer Debt Relief, Who Will Pay for Biden's Revised Build Back Better Plan?

Biden's new Build Back Better plan could have a sweeping impact on ag. The plan provides a boost to biofuels and conservation efforts and expands USDA's proposed minority farmer and rancher debt relief by $6 billion.

FSA Farmer Fallout? Vaccine Mandate Pegs All Personnel, Including Elected County Committee Members
FSA Farmer Fallout? Vaccine Mandate Pegs All Personnel, Including Elected County Committee Members

The White House’s executive order signed in September requires all USDA employees to be vaccinated by Nov. 22, and includes county FSA offices and employees, as well as elected county committee members who are paid.

Secy. Vilsack, ‘I think at the end of the day I should pay tax’
Secy. Vilsack, ‘I think at the end of the day I should pay tax’

Chip Flory is joined by USDA Secretary Vilsack to discuss who is affected by stepped-up basis and why he thinks agricultural America should be in support of it.

White House Takes On 'Big Meat,' Says Inflation Isn't the Source of Swelling Retail Protein Prices
White House Takes On 'Big Meat,' Says Inflation Isn't the Source of Swelling Retail Protein Prices

In an unprecedented move, the Biden administration unveiled a broad plan to tackle record retail meat prices. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said consolidation in beef, pork and poultry processing is leading to higher prices.

Vilsack Says USDA is Still Assessing Hurricane Ida Damage, Outlines Possibilities for Disaster Aid
Vilsack Says USDA is Still Assessing Hurricane Ida Damage, Outlines Possibilities for Disaster Aid

Hurricane Ida, and possible aid to producers, was a big topic of the Farm Journal Farm Country Update with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday. Vilsack highlighted when additional aid may be on the way. 

Ag Secretary to Join Virtual Town Hall, Discussing Most Pressing Issues in Agriculture
Ag Secretary to Join Virtual Town Hall, Discussing Most Pressing Issues in Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join Clinton Griffiths for a virtual live town-hall Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. CDT. Farmers and ranchers will ask about the most pressing issues and opportunities they face.

USDA to Increase SNAP Benefits By More than 20% Starting in October
USDA to Increase SNAP Benefits By More than 20% Starting in October

A big increase in benefits is on the way for Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The average SNAP benefit will increase for FY 2022 beginning on Oct. 1, according to the agency.

One-Fifth of President's Recent Executive Order Impacts Agriculture, Draws Mixed Reaction from Farm Groups
One-Fifth of President's Recent Executive Order Impacts Agriculture, Draws Mixed Reaction from Farm Groups

After President Biden signed a sweeping Executive Order late last week, NCBA and other livestock groups praised the President's focus on meat, poultry. However, not every ag group is on board with the President's plan.

DC Signal to Noise: All Eyes on the Cattle Market
DC Signal to Noise: All Eyes on the Cattle Market

AgriTalk's Chip Flory and Pro Farmer’s Jim Wiesemeyer unpack Biden’s new executive order, including new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act, “Product of USA” labeling and more.

USDA Says Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Plans Will Level Playing Field for Farmers, Strengthen Supply Chain
USDA Says Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Plans Will Level Playing Field for Farmers, Strengthen Supply Chain

On the heels of President Joe Biden signing an Executive Order to increase competition in the U.S., USDA says the President’s plan will also level the playing field for family farmers and ranchers.

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Vilsack to Announce $500 Million to Expand Small, Medium Meat Processing Plants

USDA Secretary Vilsack is expected to announce $500 million in new funds to expand meat processing capacity during a trip Friday to Council Bluffs, Iowa, according to Jim Wiesemeyer.

Vilsack to Make Major Announcement in Nebraska, Speculation it Covers Anti-Competitive Practices in Agriculture
Vilsack to Make Major Announcement in Nebraska, Speculation it Covers Anti-Competitive Practices in Agriculture

USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack is scheduled to travel to Nebraska Friday for what the agency is calling a "major announcement." It could include details of the Biden Administration's plan to create more competition within ag.

Biden Expected to Sign Executive Order to Create More Competition in Meat Industry
Biden Expected to Sign Executive Order to Create More Competition in Meat Industry

An expected executive order by the Biden Administration could have sweeping impacts on agriculture, and includes allowing USDA to create new rules to increase competition in the meat industry and protect producers.

$4 Billion Initiative Will Create A More Resilient U.S. Food System, Vilsack Pledges
$4 Billion Initiative Will Create A More Resilient U.S. Food System, Vilsack Pledges

The dollars tagged for such purposes are part of the Build Back Better program, the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief plan.

Overturning Current WOTUS Would Show ‘Lack of Common Sense,’ Grassley Says
Overturning Current WOTUS Would Show ‘Lack of Common Sense,’ Grassley Says

“I like to say you’re going to have to have a permit to do normal farming decisions,” he told Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk.

USDA Vows to Fight Court Decision to Halt Loan Forgiveness for Farmers of Color
USDA Vows to Fight Court Decision to Halt Loan Forgiveness for Farmers of Color

A federal judge announced Friday a decision to halt payments in a USDA loan forgiveness program designed to help farmers of color. USDA has until Friday to respond to the court’s temporary restraining order. 

U.S. Needs to Conserve Land Twice the Size of Texas to Reach Biden's 30x30 Goal
U.S. Needs to Conserve Land Twice the Size of Texas to Reach Biden's 30x30 Goal

The plan is now called "America the Beautiful," and is a 10 year, locally-led and voluntary nationwide effort to conserve, connect and restore 30% of the nation's lands and waters by the year 2030.