Live Animal Requirements: AAA – Live Animal Specification (pdf)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today amendments to the federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California.

The amendments will:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will conduct a referendum Nov. 2 to 20, 2026, on a proposed amendment to the federal marketing order for California almonds.

The proposed amendment would establish borrowing authority to allow the Almond Board of California to borrow funds from financial institutions through a seasonal line of credit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of thirteen members to serve on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. The thirteen members will serve three-year terms effective Nov. 1, 2026, through Oct. 31, 2029.

The newly appointed members are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of twelve members to the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed are three producer members, three producer alternates, two importer members, and two importer alternates to fill three-year terms expiring on Oct. 31, 2029. Additionally, one producer alternate is appointed to fill a previously vacant seat whose term expires on Oct. 31, 2028, and one importer alternate is appointed to fill a vacant seat which expires on Oct. 31, 2027.

Newly appointed members and alternates are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the following agencies are designated to provide official services at non-export port locations in specified geographic areas under delegated authority of the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA):

On Oct. 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) will open the annual U.S. grain exporter registration period and begin accepting waiver requests for the 2027 calendar year. 

The United States Grain Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 87f-1, requires registration of people who: 1) are engaged in the business of buying grain for sale in foreign commerce or 2) handle, weigh or transport grain for sale in foreign commerce.

How to Register

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the suspension of the California kiwifruit marketing order provisions.  

Beginning Dec. 31, 2026, handlers will not be required to meet the marketing order’s quality requirements, pack and container requirements, remit assessments, or submit reports on kiwifruit handled during the 2026-2027 crop year.  Due to the suspension of the quality requirements on California kiwifruit, imported kiwifruit will be allowed into the stream of commerce without meeting the import requirements. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $12.65 million in funding is available through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI). The funding will support regional initiatives that provide technical assistance and subawards to dairy businesses working to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. These initiatives support agricultural businesses that help rural economies thrive and bolster the dairy supply chain, so all Americans have access to quality domestic dairy products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $2.3 million in grant funding awarded to departments of agriculture in Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa through the Mico-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP).