USDA Announces Mango Referendum Results

October 21, 2020 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that mango first handlers and importers approved continuing their federal research and promotion program and removing the provisions of frozen mangos as a covered commodity under the program. Mango first handlers and importers voted in a referendum Sept. 21 through Oct. 9, 2020.

Trump Administration Welcomes Amazon to the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions

October 20, 2020 USDA

On World Food Day, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue welcomed Amazon as a new member of the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions.

How U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Quarantine is Facilitating the Safe Trade of Plant Cuttings

October 9, 2020 Heather Curlett, USDA APHIS

When importing propagative materials, such as live plants and cuttings, every minute counts. Any delay at the port of entry could significantly impact their quality and cause significant economic loss to the nursery industry.

USDA Updates the Procedures for Instrument Enhanced Grading for Beef Carcasses

September 24, 2020 USDA AMS

These updated procedures, effective September 21, 2020, state the requirements for establishments that wish to use plant personnel to apply USDA’s Beef Grading Standards using approved instrument technology.

USDA ARS Joins Effort to Boost Oyster Production

September 15, 2020 USDA ARS

USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has joined a team of shellfish geneticists whose task is to advance oyster breeding to generate better performing oysters for farmers and boost oyster production along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.