USDA Established 150 Years Ago
On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). President Lincoln called USDA the “People’s Department” because he understood the importance of agriculture to the nation
New Zealand to Allow Uncooked, Consumer-Ready Pork Imports
New Zealand's High Court has issued its decision in favor of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to its Import Health Standard (IHS) for pig meat, products and by-products from countries with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
USDA Estimates Record Corn Supplies, Lower Prices
USDA’s first assessment of 2012-13 domestic and global supply and demand prospects puts the 2012 corn crop at 14.79 billion bushels compared to 12.36 billion last year. USDA projects a 5.1 million acre increase in harvested area. Corn yield is projected at a record 166 bu./acre.
2012 Farm Bill Summary
A summary of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s passed 2012 farm bill, the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012,” is available on line
Ag Groups Call for Quick Action on Farm Bill
A coalition of over 125 agricultural, conservation, environment, energy, forestry, human nutrition and rural groups are urging leaders in the U.S. Senate to move forward on the farm bill as soon as possible.
Petroleum Companies Urged to Increase American Renewable Energy
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack called on petroleum companies to help increase the percentage of ethanol in America’s gas tanks in order to reduce dependence on foreign oil, boost job creation and promote development of renewable energy from farm-produced feedstocks
USDA Announces New Traceback Measures, Recall Procedures
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced new policy measures that will affect inspected establishments. FSIS will implement new traceback measures which, when there is an indication of contamination through presumptive positive test results for E. coli, the agency will attempt to “link products, companies and the pathogen to a sole source supplier.”
Largest Ag Co-ops Post Near-Record Sales
USDA announced that the nation’s 100 largest agriculture cooperatives reported near-record revenue of $118 billion in 2010, an increase of 4% over 2009. Net income was $2.39 billion, an increase of more than 10%. The leading cooperatives were CHS Inc., Land O’Lakes, and Dairy Farmers of America.
No Livestock Title in Senate Farm Bill
The 2012 farm bill passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee does not include a livestock title. However, there are a number of issues important to the livestock and poultry industries included in the bill, including a feral swine eradication funding package.
Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee passed the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012” (farm bill) by a vote of 16-5. The bill cuts $23 billion from the current baseline during fiscal years 2013 to 2022. The cuts include eliminating direct payments, eliminating duplication by consolidating programs and cracking down on food assistance abuse. The bill places greater emphasis on strengthening risk management options for producers.
Proposed Farm Youth Labor Rule Dropped
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced it was dropping its proposed rule regarding youth and farm work. Instead, it will work with farm and agricultural organizations for better education to reduce accidents by farm youth.
Fourth Case of BSE
USDA on April 24 confirmed a positive case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a 10-year old dairy cow in Tulare County, California. According to USDA, the animal was discovered at a rendering facility, was never processed for human consumption and poses zero risk to human health. The carcass will be destroyed. This is the fourth case of BSE in the United States.
Labeling Mechanically Tenderized Beef
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has called on USDA to label mechanically tenderized beef products to “better protect” the public from foodborne illness
