USDA Launches the Remote Butter Grading Program to Help Small Processors Access Butter Grading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the Remote Butter Grading Program, allowing more butter manufacturers to access to new marketing opportunities providing dairy farmers additional opportunities to market milk for use in a value-added product. This program utilizes robust data management and program oversight to allow a USDA grader to assess butter characteristics and assign the official quality grade from a remote location, reducing costs and location as barriers to participation in voluntary grading services.

Grant Funding Available through the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced grant proposals are being accepted for the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program (SPMGP) for projects designed to improve the U.S. sheep industry. The funding is managed by the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC), which is the recipient responsible for implementing the SPMGP. The center has allocated $300,000 for this year’s round of grant funding. NSIIC is currently accepting grant proposals through September 15, 2025.

USDA Seeks Nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 18, 2025.

From the nominees, the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint 12 individuals to succeed members whose terms expire on Oct. 31, 2025, and one individual to fill a vacant seat in Region 4 whose term expires on Oct. 31, 2026. The 12 newly appointed members who are succeeding other members will serve three-year terms from Nov. 1, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2028.

USDA Seeks Nominees for the American Lamb Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the American Lamb Board to succeed four members with terms that expire in early 2026.

  • One producer with 100 or less lamb
  • One producer with more than 500 lambs
  • One feeder at large
  • One first handler

Any U.S. producer, feeder, or first handler who owns or purchases lambs may be considered for nomination. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 8, 2025.

Subscribe to