Uncertain economic conditions for several farmers last fall led to Congressionally approved emergency payments - what has become USDA's Emergency Commodity Assistance Pogram - ECAP. Now accepting applications, Rod Bain looks at the factors behind ECAP and details about the current sign-up period in...

While National Agriculture Day and Week each March shines the spotlight on farming, ranching, and forestry in America, this awareness effort also points to how essential ag is in everyday life. Rod Bain talks with several appreciative for our nation’s safe, secure, and abundant supplies of food...

Artificial intelligence is becoming more involved in aspects of food and farm production, with a myriad of technologies already in use, and innovations in the research and development pipeline. Rod Bain looks at the growing connection between AI and ag in this edition of “Agriculture USA”...

The combination of lower egg laying bird flocks due in part to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and higher egg prices for consumers due to lower supplies has industry stakeholders seeking solutions, such as a comprehensive strategy recently presented by the Agriculture Department...

Animal disease preparedness is the focus of tabletop training exercises simulating response to potential outbreaks, including several with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service as a participant. Rod Bain looks at how these exercises provide necessary understand and course of action...

A rural and ag upbringing is what Brooke Rollins brings to her new Cabinet level post, now serving the Trump Administration for a second time, yet in the different role of Agriculture Secretary. Rod Bain looks at the influences that shaped the new Ag Secretary in her own words in this edition of...

As agritourism and its various aspects continue to grow as an economic opportunity for ag producers and rural communities, increasing data is forthcoming to better understand and recognize trends that can provide both guidance and benefit. Rod Bain looks at some recent trends in agritourism in this...

Keeping foods for your Super Bowl party safe from food borne illness is an essential game plan for such events. While the play calling is straightforward in the food safety playbook, this year’s Super Bowl may vary as party planners may take advantage of food choices from host city New Orleans. Rod...

Residents of the Deep South along the Gulf Coast are still uncertain what to make of a once-in-a-lifetime winter weather system that left snow accumulations and icy conditions most are uncustomed to. How does this compare from a historical perspective, and what might it mean for the region’s...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - two federal agencies that work together in a myriad of agricultural, food security, natural resource, and climatic realms. It is a partnership that some may not realize exists, let alone what this...