Category: United States Department of Agriculture

The US government is letting farmers charge more money for food that’s ‘transitioning to organic’

The US Department of Agriculture on Wednesday took a step toward increasing the production of organic foods – which has not kept pace with demand – by launching a program to certify farmland that growers are in the process of switching to organic. Obtaining certification under the program will allow farmers to sell products raised in accordance with organic guidelines for higher prices than conventionally-grown goods, according to the Organic Trade Association, an industry group.

Amazon will soon start accepting food stamps

Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, Iowa, and Oregon, though the USDA says it hopes to expand the online program nationally and add more retailers. “Amazon is excited to participate in the USDA SNAP online purchasing pilot,” the company said in a press release .

‘Pressing concern’ to manage water in Middle East troublespot

There is a “pressing concern” to manage Euphrates River water, a key resource for a “politically volatile” area of the Middle East, US officials said, in a face of another sub-par rice crop in Iraq. Iraq, which until the mid-1970s relied on home-grown rice to cover most domestic demand, has seen buy-ins soar, becoming one of the top 10 biggest importers.

USDA: Emerging Markets Account For Most Of The Growth In Agricultural Exports

USDA: EMERGING MARKETS ACCOUNT FOR MOST OF THE GROWTH IN AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS Jan. 3, 2017 Source: USDA news release Growth in demand for food, and by extension for agricultural imports, is particularly sensitive to growth in per capita incomes in developing countries, where relatively large shares of rising incomes are typically spent on increasing both the amount and diversity of foods consumed. In contrast, consumers in more developed countries, where per capita incomes and food intake are already relatively high, are less likely to spend as much of new income on increasing the amount of food they eat.

U.S. scrambles to clear egg exports to bird flu-hit Korea

U.S. officials are urgently seeking an agreement with South Korea that would allow imports of American eggs so farmers can cash in on a shortage caused by the Asian country’s worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. The two sides are negotiating over terms of potential shipments after South Korea lifted a ban on imports of U.S. table eggs that it imposed when the United States grappled with its own bout of bird flu last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Northey reviews Iowa top 2016 agriculture issues

“Iowa farmers saw record production for both corn and soybeans again in 2016, however low prices are making profitability a real challenge on both the crop and livestock side. Despite the economic challenges, farmers are by nature optimistic and we continue to see investments in the future and new and innovative technologies that will allow them to be even more productive while also reducing environmental impact,” Northey said.

Weather Will Not Allow Wheat Price To Decrease

This December is characterized by almost complete lack of snow cover in the agricultural fields of the States of Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado – the key winter wheat states in the country: Snow cover protects wheat when the temperature dips below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, this temperature is forecasted in the United States for the next two weeks.

UPDATE 1-U.S. scrambles to clear egg exports to bird flu-hit Korea

U.S. officials are urgently seeking an agreement with South Korea that would allow imports of American eggs so farmers can cash in on a shortage caused by the Asian country’s worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. The two sides are negotiating over terms of potential shipments after South Korea lifted a ban on imports of U.S. table eggs that it imposed when the United States grappled with its own bout of bird flu last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Obama Food Stamp Boom: 10.7 Million Added to Rolls32% Jump

As President Obama prepares to leave office, his legacy will include an increase in the number of Americans using food stamps. The number of food stamps recipients went up by 10.7 million people, a 32 percent jump, since President Obama took office in 2009, according to data released by the Department of Agriculture .

First Nations Development Institute Receives $200,000 USDA-NRCS Grant for Ag and Food Training

First Nations Development Institute has received a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service grant of $200,000 for a broad effort to increase the capacity of Native American farmers, ranchers and tribal communities so they can advance their farming or ranching businesses, or so tribal communities can work more effectively to improve local control of community food systems. Under the grant, First Nations will conduct various in-person trainings and workshops, plus online webinars, for Native farmers, ranchers, tribal departments, nonprofit organizations, food entrepreneurs and others that will focus on business-management systems and techniques.

Zoetis Receives USDA License For CYTOPOINT

Zoetis Inc . today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted the company a license for CYTOPOINTa , the first monoclonal antibody therapy approved to help provide sustained control of the clinical signs associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs.

USDA Blog: ‘Minneapolis School Embraces Family-Style Dining’

“What if school lunchtime was more than just a wait in line and a race to find a seat and eat, but instead was more like a traditional family meal a time when friends gather to enjoy their food, engage in meaningful conversation, build relationships and gain important life skills?” That’s the question posed by the principal of a Minneapolis public elementary school in a blog posted Tuesday on the Agriculture Department website. The principal explains that her school decided to abandon the typical chaotic and impersonal lunchroom experience and create a family-style dining program.

Disaster Food Assistance Available to Sevier County Wildfire Victims

The Tennessee Department of Human Services in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services will begin accepting applications on Thursday, December 22 for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits available to eligible residents or those who work in Sevier County that have been impacted by the recent wildfires. D-SNAP provides temporary food assistance benefits loaded onto an EBT card.