USDA Launches Pilot to Help More Processors Access High-Value Beef Grading

January 22, 2024 USDA AMS

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a pilot program to allow more cattle producers and meat processors to access better markets through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) official beef quality grading and certification. The Remote Grading Pilot for Beef, developed by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), matches simple technology with robust data management and program oversight to allow a USDA grader to assess beef carcass characteristics and assign the official quality grade from a remote location, reducing costs and location as barriers to participation in voluntary grading services.

USDA Seeks Nominees for National Watermelon Promotion Board

January 16, 2024 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Watermelon Promotion Board to fill 13 member seats whose terms begin on Jan. 1, 2025, and end Dec. 31, 2027.

USDA Announces Appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board

January 3, 2024 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 26 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Twenty-five members will serve three-year terms and one member will serve a one-year term. The term of board members appointed to three-year terms start February 2024 and end February 2027.

USDA to Reconvene Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Pricing Provisions for Federal Milk Marketing Orders

January 3, 2024 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will reconvene the national public hearing to consider proposals seeking to amend the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs) on Jan. 16, 2024, at 8 a.m. ET.

USDA Proposes Termination of Cranberry Marketing Order

December 22, 2023 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on a proposal to terminate Marketing Order No. 929, which regulates the handling of cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the state of New York.