Radio Features

USDA is expanding the scope of its efforts to protect U.S. agriculture from invasive plant pests and diseases. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Jennifer Moffitt, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

If you are still trying to keep your New Year's resolutions to lose weight, one expert says maybe you should include your pets in those resolutions. On this edition of "Agriculture USA" Gary Crawford reports on what some say is an epidemic of pet obesity and what we pet owners can do about it.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Dr. Susan Nelson, Kansas State University veterinarian. Also, Victor Buono, actor and comedian.

Ducks are supposed to waddle, but not your pet cat or dog. Gary Crawford reports on what some see as an epidemic of overweight pets.



PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Dr. Susan Nelson, Kansas State University veterinarian. Also, Victor Buono, actor and comedian.

New rules for the organic industry will help ensure that buyers of organic foods get what they pay for. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Under Secretary Jennifer Moffitt. U.S. Representative from Maine Chellie Pingree, Jenny Tucker with USDA's National Organic Program.

The Department of Agriculture is acting to protect more communities from wildfires. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Do you have the bleak mid-winter gardening blues? An expert has some remedies. Gary Crawford has this seedy report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Ward Upham, Kansas State University Extension gardening expert.

Trying to define what sustainability is within the beef value chain has been a long, and ongoing, process, unique for each aspect of the chain. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Debbie Lyons-Blythe of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

One of USDA's upcoming agricultural trade missions will focus on a European nation that could be a gateway to expanded export opportunities in the region. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Ryan Brewster of the Foreign Agricultural Service

Drought is beginning to eat away at corn and soybean crop prospects in Argentina. Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer. USDA Chief Meteorologist Mark Brusberg.

The Agriculture Secretary recently announced new programs, and modification of an existing one, designed to create greater disaster assistance, and to help expand risk protection to underserved producers. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack

A USDA report shows egg production still running below a year ago, but producers are working to boost output. Gary Crawford has more.


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