The nation’s winter wheat crop is expected to reach its highest abandonment rate since World War I, but why? (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses abandonment rates in four key winter wheat growing states – a result of lingering drought in the Central and Southern Plains.

Four Plains states with high abandonment rates for their winter wheat crops are the driver behind the highest such national rate in over a century. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)

There is one critical food safety step that many outdoor grillers either forget or ignore. (Gary Crawford and Meredith Carothers, food safety expert with the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline) ****Broadcasters: The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-6854) Listeners can...

Meredith Carothers, food safety expert with the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline, giving the minimal recommended internal cooking temperatures for various meat and poultry products. Of course, the key is having and using a food thermometer. ****Broadcasters: The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number...

The Agriculture Secretary was among the dignitaries at dedication ceremonies for USDA's new National Agro and Bio-Defense Facility. (Rod Bain. Secretary Tom Vilsack. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) )

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) shares the history and situations that led to the construction of the National Agro and Bio-Defense Facility during the dedication ceremony of the facility.

Agriculture Under Secretary shared thoughts about the work of their agencies regarding operation of the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. (Rod Bain. Under Secretary for Research, Extension and Economics Chavonda Jacobs Young. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny...

Dryness in several states, led by the Central and Southern Plains, is behind an increase in topsoils with short to very short moisture. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)

The most recent USDA Pasture and Rangeland Condition Reports show continued trends of improvement on a national scale. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)