The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. These amendments authorize the California Walnut Board to provide credit for market promotion expenses paid by handlers against their annual assessments due under the program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the approval of a hemp production plan under the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program for the Nez Perce Tribe.

This plan was approved under the Interim Final Rule. The Final Rule, published January 19, 2021, is currently under review. The new administration is taking the opportunity to review new and pending regulatory actions to ensure programs are structured and resourced appropriately and to ensure programs are implemented to best serve their intended stakeholders.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a referendum April 12-30, 2021, for Irish potato producers in Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, to vote on whether to continue their federal marketing order authorizing the establishment of size, grade, quality, maturity, container and pack regulations, under USDA oversight.

Docket Number: AMS–SC–20–0084
Dates: The referendum will be conducted from April 12 to April 30, 2021. To vote in this referendum, producers must have produced Irish potatoes for the fresh market within the designated production area in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, during the period August 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020.

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Borden Dairy Company (Borden) have reached an agreement in the Borden bankruptcy proceeding that should lead to recovery of 100 percent of monies owed to USDA. Per the agreement, USDA will use these funds to remit monies owed to Federal Milk Marketing Order-regulated handlers and the Fluid Milk Promotion Board, and handlers will be required to promptly remit payment to the affected producers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the Softwood Lumber Board to fill seats for six members whose terms expire Dec. 31, 2021. Nominations are due to the board by April 20, 2021. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms.

The board is seeking nominees for the following seats:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to fill seats for seven members and seven alternates whose terms will expire Dec. 31, 2021. Nominations for regional producers, importer, exporter and public seats are due to the council by March 5, 2021. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is seeking nominees for the following seats:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board to fill four vacant producer positions, including two to represent Kansas, one to represent Texas, and one at-large position. Members will serve three-year terms beginning December 2022 and ending December 2025. The deadline for nominations is April 11, 2021.

View the February 2021 – Monthly Economic Landscape Report (pdf)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the American Lamb Board. Nominations are due April 11, 2021, for one producer with 101-500 lambs, one producer with more than 500 lambs, one feeder with 5,000 or more lambs, and one first handler. Members will serve three-year terms beginning February 2022 and ending February 2025.