The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is asking for comments on the quality of services provided by the following Delegated State Agencies: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, delegated states may provide mandatory official grain inspection, weighing, and scale testing services at export port locations within their respective State. AMS reevaluates and recertifies delegated states every 5 years in accordance with the Act.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a change to the Florida citrus marketing order. As recommended by the Citrus Administrative Committee, pummelos are now exempt from handling and reporting requirements under the marketing order.

This action reverses a 2016 move by the Florida citrus industry to expand the marketing order and its handling regulations to include pummelos. Pummelo industry representatives will now market their product free from reporting and minimum quality requirements, which had not been established by the committee.

Docket Number: AMS-SC-21-0091
Comments Due: May 8, 2023

Summary

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. AMS is proposing to modify two references to the allowances for capstems within the standards to modernize the standards to reflect current industry practices. The proposal also includes minor editorial changes to table headings to align with updated Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) formatting requirements.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. The proposal would modify two references to the allowances for capstems to modernize the standards to reflect current industry practices.

The proposed changes would reduce the number of allowable capstems for all varietals, except Zante Currants, in all three Grades (A, B, and C) as follows:

Docket Number: AMS-SC-22-0010
Dates: The referendum will be conducted from April 3 through April 21, 2023. The representative period for the purpose of the referendum is September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022.

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the Softwood Lumber Board to fill four member seats with terms expiring on Dec. 31, 2023. Nomination applications are due by April 14, 2023. Appointed members will serve three-year terms.

The Softwood Lumber Board is seeking nominees of two large size domestic manufacturers representing the U.S. South Region, one domestic manufacturer of any size representing the U.S. West Region, and one small softwood lumber importer representing any region.

This is a PRE-SOLICITATION/SOURCES SOUGHT notice to request information for Government planning purposes only. Responses will assist the Government in planning its acquisition strategy for a potential future acquisition. The Government is not committed to issue a solicitation or award a contract because of this announcement.  The USDA/AMS Commodity Procurement Program is seeking qualified and capable potential vendors.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today reiterates its standing policy related to varietal labeling requirements for agricultural and vegetable seed shipped in interstate commerce. AMS’s policy is based on requirements of the Federal Seed Act (FSA) (7 U.S.C.