U.S. Department of Agriculture News

Pork Group Asks USDA to Support Faster Slaughterhouse Speeds

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group representing pork producers urged the federal government Tuesday to let them continue an effort to speed up the processing of pigs into bacon and ham despite a union’s claim that the increased volume …

Facing Severe Drought, North Dakotans Turn to Higher Sources

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Leaders of a Bismarck church last Sunday morning took the first steps in organizing a communitywide prayer effort aimed at ending the state’s drought, which continues to worsen. The timing of that message may have helped …

U.S. Court Slams Brakes on Trump-Era Hog Slaughter Line Speed Rule; Union Cheers

CHICAGO — The largest U.S. meatpacking union celebrated a victory in federal court on Wednesday that it said invalidated a Trump-era rule allowing hog slaughter plants to run without line speed limits. A lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of …

Report: Iowa’s Derecho Crop Losses Increase By More Than 50%

DES MOINES, Iowa — Crop loss estimates from a rare wind storm that slammed Iowa in August have increased by more than 50%, a new report shows. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday that the number of crop acres …

Trump Approves Emergency Aid For Iowa After Storm

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he approved federal disaster aid for Iowa after a hurricane-force storm hit last week, causing widespread damage in towns and farms and leaving thousands without power. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said on Sunday …

Iowa Farmers Assess Losses After Storm Flattened Cornfields

DES MOINES, Iowa — Farmers across a wide swath of Iowa are dealing with the heartbreaking aftermath of a rare wind storm that turned what was looking like a record corn crop into deep losses for many. The storm, known …

USDA Limits Review Requirements of Some Biotech Farm Products

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Thursday a rule that will simplify or waive agency reviews of certain biotech farm products, including plants and seeds that have been genetically modified or engineered. As a result, some products …

At Beleaguered U.S. Meat Plants, Inspectors Are Getting Sick Too

One hundred U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have tested positive for the coronavirus as the illness ravages the nation’s meat processing plants. The workers are part of the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which employs about 6,500 inspectors, a spokesperson …

Worker, Food-Safety Advocates Sound Alarm Over New Hog Slaughter Rules

CHICAGO — U.S. food safety and the health of plant workers will be at risk from new federal rules that allow meat companies to slaughter hogs as fast as they want and shift the role of government inspectors, food and …

Crazy Midwest Weather Spurs Hardest Year Ever for U.S. Farms

Crazy weather that disrupted U.S. Midwest plantings is adding to farmer stress, with growers ranking 2019 as their hardest year ever. A survey conducted by Farm Futures showed that 53% of respondents said 2019 is the most difficult year they’ve …