The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it will conduct a second referendum among eligible Christmas tree domestic producers and importers to decide whether to continue their research and promotion order. Dates will be announced after consultation with the Real Christmas Tree Board.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that U.S. highbush blueberry producers and importers approved continuing the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order.

In the referendum, held from July 13-24, 2026, 58% of producers and importers, representing 84% of the volume represented in the referendum, voted in favor of continuing the order. For the program to continue, it must be favored by a majority of producers and importers voting in the referendum, who also represent a majority of the volume of blueberries represented in the referendum.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that California kiwifruit growers voted to terminate their marketing order program.

In a referendum held May 18 through June 8, 2026, 56% of voting kiwifruit growers, representing 83% of the production volume voted in the referendum, favored termination. For the marketing order to continue, a majority of growers voting, or growers representing a majority of the volume, must have voted in favor of continuance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that Vidalia onion producers voted to continue their marketing order program.

In a referendum held Jan. 12 through Feb. 3, 2026, 100% of voting Vidalia onion producers favor continuance of the marketing order program, representing 100% of the production volume voted in the referendum. For the marketing order to continue, two thirds of producers voting, or producers representing two thirds of the volume, must vote in favor of continuance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule amending administrative requirements for the marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. This action codifies the assessment payment schedule for handler assessments, establishes interest and late payment charges on overdue assessments owed, and modifies existing reporting requirements for walnut receipts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it approved an assessment increase under the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Program. On June 1, 2026, the Mushroom Council voted unanimously to recommend the assessment increase in a two-step phase.

The Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) promotes fair business practices and competitive environments to market livestock, meat, and poultry. Through its oversight activities under the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act, including monitoring programs, reviews, and investigations, PSD fosters fair competition, and provides payment protection. It also guards against deceptive and fraudulent trade practices that affect the movement and price of meat animals and their products. PSD's work protects consumers and members of the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the launch of a new enhancement to the Fertilizer Transportation Dashboard on its Agricultural Transportation Open Data Platform (AgTransport). The enhancement adds anhydrous ammonia pipeline rates (measured in dollars per ton) to complement existing fertilizer data.

• United States Warehouse Act Payment Remittance Information (pdf)

Live Animal Requirements – AAA – Live Animal Specification (pdf) or RAAA – Live Animal Specification (pdf)
USDA Certified Information – G-174 Specification (pdf), effective July 2026

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