Cargill and Nestlé Purina Partner on Regenerative Agriculture Adoption to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Investment in regenerative agriculture is estimated to reduce the carbon footprint of Purina’s U.S. grain supply from Cargill by up to 40 percent over the next three years

Nestlé Purina is investing in farmer adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across the company’s corn and soy supply chains through a new partnership with Cargill, one of the largest ingredient and agricultural solutions companies in the U.S. This work will support soil health and reduce the carbon footprint for Purina dry pet food products across North America...

LaBelle Patrimoine Heritage Chicken Approved by USDA as Regeneratively Raised

LaBelle Patrimoine, producer of humanely raised heritage, air-chilled chickens, is proud to announce that it carries the new claim of regeneratively raised as approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), acknowledging its commitment to sustainable and environmentally-friendly poultry farming practices.

Regeneratively raised is a farming system where chickens are fed regeneratively grown grain, grown on managed pasture, and farm waste and processing waste are composted and returned to the soil to improve soil health. This meaningful recognition by the USDA, which...

Trade and Exports Continue to Strengthen American Agriculture

American agriculture remains strong. Total U.S. agricultural exports reached $174.9 billion in 2023. American farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners continue to have success abroad as USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service works for U.S. agriculture.

Exports are critical to the health of America’s farm sector and the nation’s economy. USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to ensuring that U.S. agriculture has full and fair access to markets and opportunities across the globe.

In the trade policy arena, USDA successfully opened a new grapefruit market in Vietnam...

Majority of EU Countries Ask Bloc to Scale Back Deforestation Law

Some 20 members of the European Union asked Brussels to scale back and possibly suspend the bloc's anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, saying the policy would harm farmers, in the latest blowback against Europe's environmental agenda.

The EU law aims to root deforestation out of supply chains for beef, soy and other agricultural products sold in Europe, so that European consumers are not contributing to the destruction of global forests from the Amazon to Southeast Asia.

Those rules equally apply to European farmers, who will be banned from exporting...

USDA Announces Up to $12 Million in Grant Funding Available to Promote U.S. Agricultural Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced up to $12 million in funding available to strengthen and explore new market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products and increase access to locally grown food in communities experiencing food insecurity. The funding is available through three grant programs administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): the Acer Access and Development Program, the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program, and the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program...

USDA Identifies 2024 Food for Progress Priority Countries

USDA, through its administration of the Food for Progress Program, helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors. U.S. agricultural commodities donated to recipient countries are sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural, economic, or infrastructure development programs.

Food for Progress has two principal objectives: to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade of agricultural products. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, Food for Progress (FFPr) anticipates awarding seven new cooperative agreements, for projects of three- to five-years in duration...

Cargill ElevateTM Grain Marketing Solutions Empower Farmers to Make Informed Decisions 

Cargill is raising the bar in grain marketing, helping farmers unlock enhanced profitability with Cargill ElevateTM – a mix of market insights, pricing solutions, world-class expertise and access to robust farm management platforms that give farmers the flexibility and control they need to make informed decisions to stay competitive in the marketplace.

“Our grain representatives actively listen to farmers and understand that no two farmers have the exact same needs. Cargill’s industry-leading portfolio of pricing solutions empowers farmers to take charge and execute their individual grain marketing plans...

USDA Announces Progress to Further Competition in Agriculture, Level Playing Field for Farmers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced progress on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) comprehensive approach to address the many, complex competition issues in agricultural markets and create a fairer playing field for small- and mid-size farmers. In support of these efforts, USDA has finalized the first in a series of rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act, which is aimed at helping contract poultry growers compete more effectively and better understand the terms of their agreements with major processing companies...

USDA Announces Finalists for Twelve New USDA Regional Food Business Centers

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of 12 new USDA Regional Food Business Centers that will provide national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources, thereby closing the gaps to success. In addition, USDA also announced a $420 million Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to fund innovative projects designed invest in processing and distribution capacity to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain...

USDA Announces $45 Million Funding Opportunity to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $45 million available to organizations that help underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program. This program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).

“By supporting organizations that work with veterans and underserved groups...

USDA Announces $2.29 Million in Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding $2.29 million through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Farm Bill program to advance APHIS’ animal health preparedness. The 2018 Farm Bill provided funding for this program as part of an overall strategy to prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the United States and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions.

“These Farm Bill funding awards will strengthen our ability to carry out...

USDA Announces New National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of Manjit K. Misra as the new Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The NIFA Director leads the agency’s work in advancing agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. Dr. Misra will start his new role on Monday, May 8, 2023.

“Dr. Misra is an esteemed scientist and educator whose devotion to studying and sharing his knowledge of seeds with the world will benefit  society and inspire...