Search Results for agency_names:"Agricultural Marketing Service"

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture has issued a final rule confirming fee changes for official grain inspection and weighing services provided by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). Originally set in an interim rule from June 2024, these fee revisions came into effect in July 2024 and have been finalized without changes. The fees aim to cover costs for mandatory services under the United States Grain Standards Act, which requires annual fee adjustments and maintaining a financial reserve. Despite acknowledging comments on the potential impact of these fees on grain marketing, AMS noted that the changes are necessary for the continued operation of inspection services, ultimately benefiting all participants by reflecting current service costs.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA announced its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an existing information collection related to Dairy Market News. This effort aligns with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and involves collecting market data on milk and dairy products without an OMB control number. The aim is to provide timely market insights for farmers and businesses. Comments on this proposal are invited, with a submission deadline of February 21, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is asking for public comments about updating the Poultry Standards, which help classify poultry based on quality. These standards were last significantly revised in 1998 and need to be modernized to include new technology and consumer preferences. AMS wants feedback on how to make these standards more relevant for current technologies, industry practices, and the needs of consumers, companies, and smaller poultry operations. The public can submit comments electronically or by mail by March 17, 2025.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening the comment period for a proposed rule to amend the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order. This rule change involves requiring market agencies to fully collect and remit assessments on lamb sales. The comment period, initially closed on December 4, 2020, is now extended to March 24, 2021, providing more time for stakeholders to give input. AMS is particularly interested in feedback on allowing flexible remittance schedules for smaller market agencies to reduce their regulatory burden.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA has issued a final rule that amends the pricing provisions in 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). These changes include updating milk composition factors and surveyed commodity products, revising Class III and IV formula factors, and modifying the Class I skim milk price calculation. Most amendments will take effect on June 1, 2025, while certain adjustments related to skim milk composition will be effective December 1, 2025. This rule aims to more accurately reflect current market conditions and ensure orderly milk marketing.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA has extended the comment period for proposed changes to the United States Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry. Initially announced on January 16, 2025, and set to end on March 17, 2025, the period now extends until May 16, 2025. This extension comes after receiving a request from a U.S. trade association advocating for the poultry industry, suggesting that more time is needed to gather feedback on the revisions that aim to align with industry advancements and consumer preferences.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA has ordered a referendum among potato producers in certain counties in Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon. This referendum will determine whether these producers want to continue the existing marketing order that manages how their Irish potatoes are handled. The voting process will take place from April 12 to April 30, 2021, and is open to those who grew potatoes between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2020. If at least two-thirds of the producers voting, or those representing two-thirds of the potato volume, support continuation, the order will remain in effect.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced the 2021 fee schedule for the official inspection and weighing of grain, required by the United States Grain Standards Act. The schedule adjusts fees based on the annual evaluation of operational costs and reserve funds. As the operating reserve was short of the target, all Schedule A service fees increased by 5% for 2021. Information on these fees is available on the agency's public website.

The Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order was established to help boost the pecan industry in the United States. It introduces a system to collect assessments from producers and importers to fund marketing campaigns and research aimed at increasing demand for pecans. The rule sets up a governing Board to oversee these activities and requires a referendum after three years to decide on the continuation of the order. While most of the industry supports this program, there are concerns about the financial burden on producers due to existing marketing orders.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the USDA has reopened the comment period for changes to the mycotoxin test kit criteria. This extension is announced to ensure that interested individuals have sufficient time to review and comment on these proposed changes, with comments now due by March 24, 2021. This decision follows a request from four stakeholders to allow more time for feedback after the initial comment period ended on January 19, 2021. Participants are encouraged to submit their comments via the Federal e-rulemaking portal, with all submissions becoming public on the internet.