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Radio Features Archive

Celebrating Eight Decades of Smokey Bear

 00:05:00.068
The national symbol of wildfire prevention, and the public service campaign that created him, reached the eightieth anniversary mark in 2024. Rod Bain looks as some of the cultural and cumulative impacts of Smokey Bear in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Smokey Bear. U.S. Forest Service Historian Lincoln Bramwell.

A National Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste

 00:02:51.624
What is the make-up and breakdown of a new Federal strategy to reduce food loss and waste and increase recycling of organic materials? Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison Jean Buzby

Piloting Composting and Food Waste Reduction Efforts

 00:02:45.694
Entities wishing funding for a pilot project focused on localized composting and food waste reduction have until early September to apply. Rod Bain reports.

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

Supporting Community Wildfire Defense Efforts

 00:02:44.284
Selected communities now have assistance in developing wildfire defense plans, thanks in part to recently awarded U.S. Forest Service grants. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Brad Simpkins of the Forest Service

Keep Your Hands Clean if You Are Cooking Out This Holiday Week

 00:03:00.114
Most outdoor holiday grillers follow most of the recommended practices for food safety, but often miss one crucial step. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Meredith Carothers, food safety expert with USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline.

****Broadcasters: The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-6854)Listeners can also go online to Ask.usda.gov***

Afraid of Snakes? You're Not Alone.

 00:02:58.272
If you are very afraid of snakes, you are not alone. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Kansas State University wildlife management specialist, Drew Ricketts.

Another Effort to Address H5N1 in Dairy Cows

 00:02:26.128
USDA recently announced an expansion of one of its emergency disaster assistance programs in efforts to assist dairy growers impacted by the H5N1 virus. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack

Another Step Toward More Fairness in Livestock Dealings

 00:02:25.896
The USDA is taking another step toward more fairness in livestock industry dealings. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Jonathan Kanter, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust

Market Reactions to USDA Acreage/Stocks Reports

 00:02:27.216
Corn and soybean markets reacted strongly to this past Friday's USDA reports on planted acreage and stocks. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer.

Most Trends Up in Latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report

 00:02:01.182
Most categories in USDA's latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report showed year over year increases, yet producers are holding back in one category. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam

Collaboration in Dairy Resource Management Research

 00:02:28.741
A nationwide research effort continues in determining soil health and manure management within dairy operations, and what that means from both economic and environmental perspectives. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Victor Green of Dairy Management Incorporated. April Leytem of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Mara Cloutier of the Soil Health Institute.