Radio Features

As drought continues to expand and strengthen across the country, so does the rise in worries about crop conditions, planting conditions, and water supplies for the Spring and Summer months. Rod Bain looks at the ongoing drought and what potential impacts might be in the coming months in this edition of "Agriculture USA".

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

The Agriculture Secretary notes some key themes that apply to rural economies, and our nation's economy, within the President's State of the Union address. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. President Joe Biden. Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Kinks in the supply chain for foods are bringing on higher prices and those are bringing on some consumer reactions. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Andy Harig with the Food Marketing Institute.

The first two months of 2022 saw little in the way of mountain snowpack accumulation for much of the West, but what does that mean for water supplies going into the Spring and Summer. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

You may have heard the term meteorological spring, which comes earlier than spring does on an astrological calendar. Don't be confused by the two different calendars. Stephanie Ho sorts it out.

PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Ho and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey.

Many of us pay more tax than we need to because we don't know about all the available federal tax credits and deductions. Gary Crawford files this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Susie Latta, Kansas State University Extension tax expert. Plus, classic comedy team, But Abbott and Lou Costello.

The USDA's newly formed Equity Commission has begun its work. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh and Arturo Rodriguez, former President of the United Farmworkers.

**Broadcasters: The Commission's first meeting was Monday, Feb. 28th.**

Greater biosecurity and surveillance efforts are in effect to monitor and mitigate potential cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Koren Custer of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Analysts say U.S. dairy operators should keep seeing rising prices for their milk this year, but profits may suffer a bit. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA dairy economist, Carolyn Liebrand. William Loux with the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Another jump in U.S. drought coverage has producers concerned about crops approaching harvest as well as what conditions might look like going into the planting season. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

Farmers who already have plans in place for floods and other natural disasters have a leg up in the aftermath. Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Dr. Katie VanValin, cattle specialist with the University of Kentucky.