Radio Features

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.

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

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

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

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***

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.

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

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

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 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

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.