U.S. Department of Agriculture News

America’s Crop Problems Raise a Red Flag for a Major Chicken Producer

Downpours that have hampered crop planting and boosted grain prices could prove a hurdle for Sanderson Farms Inc., as the U.S.’s third-largest chicken producer is yet to cover some grain costs. The company has locked in all its corn needs …

Weather Chaos Expected to Leave Record U.S. Corn Acres Unplanted

For months, traders debated which crops U.S. farmers would sow this year. That discussion is now turning to how many acres may be left unplanted as relentless rainfall sweeps the Midwest. Rabobank is predicting an unprecedented number of unplanted acres …

Incessant Rain Puts U.S. Farmers on Insurance-Deadline Watch

Kansas farmer Mark Nelson had until Saturday to plant his corn or lose the insurance that protects him from a drop in prices or yield. Instead, he’s hopping on a plane to visit his father in Chicago. Nelson is now …

Quest for Food Stamp Data Lands Newspaper at Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — In the summer of 2010, reporters at South Dakota’s Argus Leader newspaper decided to request data about the government’s food assistance program, previously known as food stamps. They thought the information could lead to a series of stories …

Listeria Scare Prompts Houston Company to Recall Products

HOUSTON — A Texas company has recalled more than 3,300 pounds (1496.87 kilograms) of ready-to-eat meat, poultry and salad products amid concerns about possible listeria contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced the recall by Great American Marketing …

U.S. Disaster Aid Won’t Cover Crops Drowned by Midwest Floods

MALVERN, Iowa — The Black Hawk military helicopter flew over Iowa, giving a senior U.S. agriculture official and U.S. senator an eyeful of the flood damage below, where yellow corn from ruptured metal silos spilled out into the muddy water. …