Latest News From USDA

Since the concept of a "food desert" was born a decade or two ago, it has presented the food industry with a chicken or the egg dilemma.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has expanded quarantine areas in Florida due to the further detection of citrus black spot.

Three-year terms began Jan. 1 for 13 new members of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and their alternates, appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Producer members are:

World table grape production is forecast to jump, rising 1 million tons to 21.9 million, as China's growth continues and Turkey's production recovers.

This week USDA announced a revised rule as part of the Conservation Reserve Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved commercial planting of two types of potatoes that are genetically engineered to resist the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine.

Six mango industry members have been appointed to lead the National Mango Board's operations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed administrative complaints under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act against a New York individual and company for violating PACA employment restrictions, according to

A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant could help increase production and demand for broccoli grown on the East Coast.

The Food and Administration has issued new draft guidance to help companies comply with provisions of the preventive controls for human food rule.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced its preliminary decision to approve the genetically engineered Arctic Fuji apple.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given the green light for imports of Peruvian pomegranates and figs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has paved the way for imports of Vietnamese mangoes.

USDA has refused to pay claims filed by two Idaho families who contend its pesticide treatment contaminated their crops and poisoned a cattle herd.

Two studies show conflicting data regarding chemical residue on organic produce. But it doesn't really matter either way.

They don't want to admit it, but we know it's true. There are countless organizations that hate humanity enough to do everything in their power to put a stop to anything that might benefit it. Their focus is on the use of science to improve and protect our lives.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sending $23 million to Washington state for five conservation programs, including work to preserve farmland, help fish runs and prevent soil erosion.

EQIP funds can provide cost share funds for conservation practices such as a water trough system in pastures to allow additional cross fencing and sensitive wetland protection.

White House plan highlights opportunities expected to foster innovation, revenue for dairy farms.

The Agriculture Secretary used a recent speech to update developments in an ongoing program.

REAP loans and grants can help with renewable energy projects such as solar panels.

Seeing the challenges farmers in the developing world face made philanthropist Howard Buffett realize how important conservation practices are for all farmers.

Chief says Feb. 7 deadline makes it possible for more producers to apply.

Recipients include a Minnesota dairy company that will receive $8,040 to help offset the cost of producing electricity from two anaerobic digesters.

USDA is making investments of more than $21 million in energy projects nationwide.

Cattle grazing and clean water can coexist on national forest lands, according to research by the University of California (UC), Davis.

Department of Agriculture provides $35,000 to help dairies manage manure, protect water.

One objective is to explore innovative ways to use products previously considered waste streams from dairy production, processing and handling.

Researchers at North Carolina State University and USDA–Agricultural Research Service (USDA–ARS) are studying the way carbon moves in and out of the soil and its role in how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere.

The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) had reason to celebrate 30 years of success this fall.

Washington State dairy will install an anaerobic digester and sell the resulting electricity to a utility.

The race to create a better, less controversial biofuel has spawned plenty of research into a variety of potential new sources - including switchgrass, cornstalks and algae. One goal behind the next generation of ethanol fuel is to end the debate over whether crops that could be used for food or animal feed are being converted into fuel. It's a debate that's dogged traditional ethanol, made from corn. A team of Wisconsin researchers say they may have found an abundant and eminently Dairyland ingredient for ethanol - cow manure from the state's dairyfarms. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a coalition of state firms have been awarded $7 million for bioenergy research that would use a manure byproduct to produce ethanol at a dairyfarm in Manitowoc County.The funding was awarded by the U.S. Energy and Agriculture departments through their joint biomass research-and-development initiative.

CHRISTOPHER DOERING, Gannett Washington BureauWASHINGTON -- Farmers and ranchers suffering through the worst drought to hit the United States in more than 50 years will receive additional help from the government, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warned on Monday the department does not have the necessary tools to adequately help producers.USDA's latest assistance package will allow for haying and grazing to occur on Wetlands Reserve and Conservation Reserve land that have been impacted by the drought, including acres that are abnormally dry or suffering from moderate drought conditions. Until now only areas deemed to be in severe to extreme drought were eligible.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program provided assistance to farmers who delayed silage harvest to help the rare birds.

Effective July 1, herds larger than the trigger levels will be required to have 180 days of manure storage, up from the current 120-day limit.

The cut-off date for the current Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) ranking period has been extended to January 27, 2012. Producers may be eligible for CSP payments.

Funding is available right now to help producers address on-farm energy use and increase efficiency.

Funding for the biodigesters is provided through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Western United Dairymen wants leaders of the House and Senate agriculture committees to support funding for the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

USDA and World Wildlife Fund join the panel that will judge the newly launched awards program.

Twelve Pennsylvania dairy producers will join peers from 11 other states in a large-scale project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help farmers reduce greenhouse gases produced by manure.

New Mexico State University is partnering with Texas A&M and other universities across the country on a $9.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to research bovine respiratory disease and how to reduce its prevalence in beef and dairy cattle.

If seasonally calved and housed outside year round, HoJos will produce 6% fewer greenhouse gases.

Groups tell Congress that historically tight supplies of grains and oilseeds make program change imperative.

Just over a month ago, the Department of Agriculture announced that it will allow American farmers to plant a genetically engineered version of alfalfa. The news also sparked an angry debate among organic advocates about what's most important in the organic label.

Solar panels lead the way, USDA’s first-ever nationwide renewable energy survey shows.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today commemorated the one year anniversary of an historic agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Emission reductions roughly equivalent to removing 408,000 cars from California highways

Producers now have until Jan. 7, 2011, to enroll

USDA has announced the opening of the application period for proposals to conduct feasibility studies on prospective renewable energy systems, including anaerobic digesters, under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).