Radio Features Archive

The Agriculture Department is continuing its efforts to understand the nature of competition in food and farm production and to promote greater competition to benefit both the food industry and consumers. Rod Bain looks at some of these efforts in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. President Joe Biden. Secretary Tom Vilsack. USDA economic researcher James MacDonald.

Among the aspects of agribusiness recently studied in USDA research looking at concentration and what it means for market competition – the food retail sector. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and economic researcher James MacDonald

President Biden has announced some new initiatives to boost competition and discourage consolidation in the food and agriculture sector. Cary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. President Joe Biden. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Classic comedian, W.C. Fields.

USDA’s latest round of urban agriculture and innovative production grants focuses on planning and implementation of such production projects. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Office of Urban Ag and Innovative Production Director Brian Guse

Heat stress and stroke can sneak up on you without you being fully aware of it. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Dee Jepsen, Ohio State University Agricultural Health and Safety professor.

Want to improve your physical and mental health? Studies show being around trees can help. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Michelle Kondo with the U.S. Forest Service

USDA researchers and colleagues have developed a smartphone app designed to give hog producers better data and tools to address potential heat stress issues. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Jay Johnson of USDA’s Livestock Behavior Research Unit

Are there better days ahead for the nation's hog producers? Gary Crawford has the answer from the experts.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA livestock analyst, Shayle Shagam. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski

USDA recently released a study looking at recent trends of concentration within sectors of agribusiness and what that may mean regarding competition. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and economic researcher James MacDonald

USDA recently announced the enrollment numbers in the latest round of acreage sign-ups for the Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Farm Service Agency Acting Deputy Administrator John Berge

Two USDA cattle reports show no signs of an end to the beef herd contraction. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA livestock analyst, Shayle Shagam.