USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, says there are some places in the country where pastures are in notably good shape.

The agriculture labor force has decreased in recent years, while reliance has grown in the farm sector on migrant farm workers to handle everything from planting to harvest. Now with a shortage of available workers, stakeholders are looking at how to modernize the nation's farm guestworker program...

The Agriculture Secretary emphasizes the importance of broad rural infrastructure improvements in efforts to build up rural communities and their commodities.

A USDA grant program recently funded its most recent group of projects designed to bring schools and students closer to their local farmers and ranchers. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Stacey Dean.

Upgrading our country’s agricultural transportation network and infrastructure will assure a continued competitive advantage in the global export market, according to the Agriculture Secretary. (Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack)

Recent grants will support continued studies and product development related to wood-based nanocellulosic materials - products from cement additives to a component in tires. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Robert Moon of the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Lab

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explains the competitive price advantage U.S. farmers and ranchers have as a result of our nation's transportation system, and the need to improve transporation infrastructure to maintain that advantage.

What should you do if a tick forms an attachment to you and puts the bite on you? Gary Crawford has advice from an expert. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. University of Kentucky Professor Emeritus of Entomology Lee Townsend.

Extreme heat is continuing to damage crops in the Northern Plains. (Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

Coffee and caffeine---How much is too much? Gary Crawford has this report. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Karen Blakeslee, Kansas State University Extension Food Scientist and coordinator of the Rapid Response Center for Food Science.