Radio Features

Among the entities behind USDA efforts to expand competition within the meat and poultry processing sector - livestock marketers and sale barn operators. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Secretary Tom Vilsack. Chelsea Good of the Livestock Marketing Association.

* - STATIONS-NETWORKS: National Farm Safety and Health Week 2023 is September 17 -23 - *

An annual awareness campaign brings both the farm community and the public together in understanding the importance of farm safety and health. And in 2023, the emphasis is on importance on the individual through the theme “No One Can Take Your Place”. Rod Bain looks at the history of National Farm Safety and Health Week, and its itinerary for this year, in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Dan Neenan of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety

Texas and Louisiana are the primary states impacted by a summer-long heat wave that has led to record high temperatures and dry soils. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

One of the ways USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant program supports producers of fruits, vegetables and similar crops is through marketing and promotion of their products. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt.

A panel at this year’s USDA Ag Outlook Forum provided different perspectives on efforts to reduce foodborne illness salmonella in poultry. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin. University of Minnesota professor Craig Hedberg. Independent food safety consultant Robert O’Connor. Michael Taylor of Stop Foodborne Illness.

Food safety experts are urging consumers to carefully follow the cooking instructions on packages of frozen foods. Gary Crawford has the cold facts.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Meredith Carothers 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 grilling at that tailgate party, here's how to do it so you avoid food poisoning problems. Gary Crawford has more.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Meredith Carothers with USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline.

***Broadcasters, USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) Listeners can also chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. ***

USDA is celebrating a special birthday for a special and long-running USDA report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski. Former President Richard Nixon and singer/songwriter Bill Joel)

***USDA released the 50th Anniversary edition of the WASDE report Tuesday, September 12th at noon EDT***

One expert says U.S. agricultural exports are running below last year, but remain "strong". Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Bart Kenner, USDA economist. Classic movie actor, Claude Rains.

Our nation recently requested a USMCA dispute settlement panel related to Mexico’s ban of biotech food products, but what are the next steps in that process? Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and U.S. Trade Representatives Office Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip

The latest series of awards of USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants continue to provide the specialty crop industry with resources for marketing, research, and education. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt