Radio Features Archive

A USDA office established under the 2018 Farm Bill continued its build up and build out process over the course of the last year, with the end goal being continued customer service to those involved in urban agriculture and innovative practices. Rod Bain looks at the progress in developing this new office in this edition of "Agriculture USA".

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Acting Chief Kevin Norton and Terry D'addio of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Richard Fordyce.

The final food price inflation figures are in for 2020. They show the sharpest price increases in almost a decade. Gary Crawford has more.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Carolyn Chelius, USDA economist.

Getting the facts about genetically modified foods is a lot easier now. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Karen Blakeslee, Kansas State University Extension Food Safety Specialist and Coordinator of the Rapid Response Center for Food Science.

The circumstances of a pandemic led the beef industry to shift its marketing and promotion focus on sales over the meat counter of grocery stores and supermarkets. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Paul Dykstra of Certified Angus Beef. Norm Voyles of the Cattlemen's Beef Board.

Did 2020 seem warmer than normal to you? Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey.

Some of the NFL playoff games so far have been played in fairly decent weather, nothing like some wild games of the past. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist. Also former Packers running back, Chuck Mercein. Former Miami Dolphins coach, Don Shula.

The latest update to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program includes expanded eligibility for some commodities. Stephanie Ho has the story.


PARTICIPANTS: Stepanie Ho. Under Secretary Bill Northey. Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce.

What were some of the big changes in USDA's January crop reports? Stephanie Ho has the story.

PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Ho and World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski.

USDA is aiming to help producers weather the negative impact of qualifying natural disasters on crop quality. Stephanie Ho reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Ho. Undersecretary Bill Northey. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce.

One expert says farmland values managed to hold their ground in 2020, despite Covid-19, but what about 2021? Gary Crawford has more.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Randy Dickhut with Farmers National Company.

A recent weather system was noted for record wind gusts, but the greater concern is how it might impact some of the nation's winter wheat areas. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey