Search Results for keywords:"Agricultural Marketing Service"

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA proposes a rule to increase the assessment rate for oranges and grapefruit grown in Texas's Lower Rio Grande Valley from $0.03 to $0.04 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and beyond. This increase aims to cover expenses and restore financial reserves. The Texas Valley Citrus Committee, comprising local producers and handlers, recommended this change to ensure sufficient funds for the operation of the marketing order. A 30-day period is open for public comments, allowing interested individuals to express their views on the proposal.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to seek approval to extend a currently approved information collection known as the Agritourism Directory. This directory helps small and medium-sized farmers enhance market access by listing working farms, ranches, and related operations that provide recreational and educational opportunities. The information gathered will be used to update the USDA's National Local Food Directories, which connect consumers and wholesale buyers with local food sources. Comments on the notice are invited and must be received by March 24, 2025.

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 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.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has made a final rule that changes how butterfat testing records are handled for the Dairy Grading and Inspection Program. The rule allows plants to do butterfat tests in-house or at approved third-party labs and obligates them to keep these records available for inspection by the USDA. This change aims to streamline processes by aligning with current industry practices and providing a more accurate picture of the butter's quality over time. The rule is expected to help butter plants save between $4,560 and $31,560 annually by eliminating the need for duplicate USDA inspections.

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 of the Department of Agriculture has finalized a rule making clarifying changes to the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research, and Information Order. These changes update definitions and processes such as nominations, voting methods for Board meetings, financial reporting, and when exemptions can be requested, to better align with current industry practices. The updates also address how partnerships are recognized and clarify the obligations for paying assessments. Despite some mixed feedback during the public comment period, the rule aims to reduce confusion and improve fairness in the paper and paper-based packaging industry.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA has issued a final rule suspending the reporting and assessment requirements for the marketing order regulating Irish potatoes grown in Washington. This suspension is in place as the USDA processes the State of Washington Potato Committee's request to terminate the marketing order. The Committee found that the suspension of these requirements has not negatively impacted the industry and determined that continuing the order is unnecessary. This action is expected to reduce the regulatory burden on handlers and producers of Washington potatoes.

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has amended the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order to remove frozen mangos as a covered commodity, following a referendum where the majority of first handlers and importers voted against their inclusion. This change discontinues the collection of assessments for frozen mangos and reduces the National Mango Board's membership from 21 to 18 members. These changes are intended to relieve regulatory burdens on frozen mango importers and streamline the Order's provisions, including clarifying definitions and updating voting procedures. The rule became effective on February 25, 2021, and stakeholders are invited to submit comments by April 26, 2021.