Radio Features

Federal preparedness efforts pre-Helene and recovery response after includes involvement from the Agriculture Department. Rod Bain looks at the multiple examples of USDA outreach to Helene impacted areas in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie. President Joe Biden. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The Agriculture Department’s role in disaster recovery assistance, such as that underway for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, goes beyond the farm and forest level. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie

USDA announces investments in two of its premiere global development programs - one focused on nutrition and education – the other assisting countries in strengthening their ag systems. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Former U.S. Senators George McGovern (D-SD) and Robert Dole (R-KS). Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor

The latest annual measurement of sustainable agricultural production growth worldwide reflects adjustments needed to reach total sustainability globally by the year 2050. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Tom Thompson of Virginia Tech University

* - October is National Cooperative Month - *

How important are cooperative businesses to the national economy, and in particular, rural economies? Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Rural Business Cooperative Service Administrator Betsy Dirksen-Londrigan

One food item has in the past endured some poisonous press and a major legal battle, but is still a top U.S. food. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Tomi Ajiboye and Nikita Vivekanandan with the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

A Senior Agriculture Department official recently explained how Hurricane Helene impacted agriculture, and some of the ways USDA is assisting producers in recovery efforts. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie

There are numerous illustrations to demonstrate the many facets of food security. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Megan Niedenwerder of the Swine Health Information Center. Alex Turner of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. USDA Director of the Office of the Chief Scientist Deirdra Chester. Ben Carlisle of Case IH.

What did wheat acreage, yield, and production totals for this year come to when USDA conducted its most recent quarterly small grains report? Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Patrick Boyle of the National Agricultural Statistics Service

A USDA report shows a "balanced" hog market, but with lower prices. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA livestock analyst, Michael McConnell.

The first U.S. Drought Monitor for October indicates varying impacts to crops and commodities within growing drought coverage areas. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey