Radio Features

Keeping plant and animal pests and disease out of our nation is one of the many duties of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. A fiftieth anniversary celebration of APHIS in 2022 includes a look at its milestones in eradicating threats and view of how innovation will help in future efforts. Rod Bain looks at APHIS at fifty years old in this edition of "Agriculture USA".

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea

So far in 2022 retail food prices are rising faster than analysts had expected. Gary Crawford has the latest on where we are with food price inflation.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA economist, Matt MacLachlan. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

If the month of March was any indication, it could be a very active weather year as far as tornadoes are concerned. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

The end of the traditional Western water and mountain snowpack season brings for the outlook for water supplies in the region this Spring and Summer. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

They may be small in number, but Vidalia onions have a big reputation and will soon be available again at grocery stores. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Chelsea Blaxton with the Vidalia Onion Committee.

There's a special bunny that certainly gets things hopping this time of year. Some may not believe in him, but let's not split hares. Gary Crawford reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA history expert, Anne Effland. Also a special member of the Hare Force

USDA's Prospective Plantings report had far fewer potential corn acres than expected, but what will farmers REALLY plant? Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Seth Meyer, USDA Chief Economist. Lance Honig, Chief of the Crops Branch of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Even though hog prices are higher than a year ago and rising, producers are being careful about expanding output. Gary Crawford has more.


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

USDA recently introduced a new disaster assistance payment program for livestock producers impacted by drought, wildfire, and subsequent rises in supplemental feed costs in 2021. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Farm Service Agency Deputy Administrator Scott Marlow

A technical assistance program and second round of grants are available from USDA for meat and poultry producers and processors building up supply chain capacity and resiliency. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt.

USDA's animal and plant protection and inspection arm celebrates its golden anniversary this year looking at its accomplishments, current efforts, and future innovation. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Administrator Kevin Shea.