Radio Features

Several areas of the Agriculture Department are utilizing data dashboards – big data collection and aggregation systems – to help its mission areas and agency, and their customers, better understand matters, and potentially find answers to various issues. Rod Bain looks at examples of USDA based data dashboards in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. USDA Honey Bee and Pollinator Research Coordinator Elizabeth Hill. Agricultural Marketing Service Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox. AMS Transportation Services Director Adam Sparger.

The wildfire situation in this country is at a crisis level, but there's a plan to do something about it. Gary Crawford has more.



PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Smuggling of prohibited food products into the U.S. is a threat to agriculture, but USDA is working to reduce that threat. Gary Crawford has more.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Under Secretary of Agriculture Jenny Moffitt

This year, USDA's Agricultural Outook Forum will focus on innovative ways that pursuing sustainable practices can benefit farm operations -- especially when it comes to rising costs. Stephanie Ho has the story.

PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Ho. World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. Bruce McWilliams, FPAC agricultural economist. Lance Griff, Griff Farms.

Funding was recently granted to new partnerships between USDA Climate Hubs and local Cooperative Extension in regional projects aimed at climate-based research and education. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director Carrie Castille

Some of the NFL playoff games so far have been played in fairly decent weather, unlike 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.

With highly pathogenic avian influenza being found in wild birds in the U.S., poultry producers are on high alert. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Dr. Julianna Lenoch and Dr. Jack Shere, both with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

In the battle for acres which crop is likely to come out on top this spring? Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer.

A new USDA agreement with organizations is helping bring the word about conservation and climate smart agriculture programs to underserved communities. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Terry Cosby

Applications are being accepted through local Natural Resources Conservation Service offices for the latest round of Regional Conservation Partnership Program funding. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and NRCS Chief Terry Cosby

How are so called data dashboards helping areas of USDA in breaking down key information for users in the Department, and the public? Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Agricultural Marketing Service AMS Transportation Services Director Adam Sparger. AMS Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox. USDA Honey Bee and Pollinator Research Coordinator Elizabeth Hill.