Articles tagged under: USDA
Officials are Taking Steps to Safely Reopen SD Plant
Published April 15, 2020
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says he is working with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Smithfield Foods to reopen the Sioux Falls pork plant. Noem says employee health and keeping families fed are a priority. "We do have increased cases,…Temporary Adjustments Made to H-2A Visa Requirements
Published April 15, 2020
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is adjusting H-2A visa requirements during the coronavirus. A new, temporary rule will allow an H-2A petitioner with a valid labor certification to employ workers currently in the H-2A status. The U.S. Citizenship and…U.S. Ag is Reducing GHG Emissions
Published April 15, 2020
U.S. farmers and ranchers are reducing per-unit greenhouse grass emissions, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The analysis shows the agriculture sector accounts for less than ten percent of total U.S. emissions…Peterson Asks USDA to Purchase Excess Products
Published April 14, 2020
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Tuesday urging the administration to purchase excess ag products during the coronavirus. In the letter, Peterson said purchases by the USDA can help ensure the…USDA Releases New Coronavirus Resource
Published April 13, 2020
USDA released a COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide today (Monday). This first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders outlines federal funding and partnership opportunities to address the pandemic. The guide is available at usda.gov/coronavrius.Dairy Management Inc. Adjusts Business Plan
Published April 10, 2020
Dairy Management Incorporated is shifting its business plan. The dairy checkoff’s leadership sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue outlining changes including a focus on four areas: schools, hunger and food service, industry partnerships and retail. "The checkoff's mission…NMPF Submits H-2A Visa Request to USDA
Published April 10, 2020
The National Milk Producers Federation is asking the USDA and Labor Department to accept and approve H-2A visa applications from dairy farmers, offering temporary immigrant farm worker employment up to 364 days. In a letter, NMPF President and CEO Jim…Potato Industry Looking at Scope of Coronavirus Impact
Published April 10, 2020
The National Potato Council is working to capture the coronavirus impact on U.S. potato growers. There is a lack of demand for potatoes in the food service industry. "Our supply chain is backing up and it's impacting 2019 storage potatoes…Global Wheat and Corn Ending Stocks Increase
Published April 9, 2020
In the April Supply and Demand report, the USDA raised global ending stocks of wheat slightly to under 293 million metric tons. That's due to lower Russian wheat production being offset by an increase in the European Union's production. Global…