Poultry Picture Series

The Poultry Grading Picture Series illustrates various defects described in the official U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry. The illustrations selected are to assist USDA poultry commodity graders, industry, academia, and food buyers. All photos and defect criteria referenced in this picture series apply to chickens within the 2-6 pound size range. Refer to the official U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry for tolerances of other carcass weights.

USDA Provides Updated Information on Indirect Cost Rate in Regional Food Business Centers Request for Applications; Will extend Application Deadline

On December 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to the Regional Food Business Centers Request for Applications (RFA) relating to the indirect cost rate. Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.414(c)(1), USDA is required to accept the NICRA from those entities that have one. USDA will issue an updated RFA and application documents in the coming days. USDA is also extending the deadline to allow applicants to adjust proposals according to the updated Indirect Costs section in the RFA.  Information on the new deadline will be coming soon.

Monacan Indian Nation

The Monacan Indian Nation Walut Pí:se “Food is Good” Project aims to assist and support our local farmers and vendors, provide good, healthy local foods to our tribal citizens and the community and to provide for the underserved community.

USDA Extends Enforcement Deadline for Hemp to be Tested by DEA-Registered Laboratories

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service is delaying until Dec.31, 2023, the enforcement of a requirement that all hemp must be tested by a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered laboratory. The original deadline for hemp producers to meet the requirement was Jan. 1, 2023. Due to inadequate DEA-registered laboratory testing capacity, testing can be conducted by labs that are not registered with DEA until Dec. 31, 2023. Laboratories testing hemp must comply with all other regulatory requirements.

USDA Publishes Final Rule for Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published for public inspection a final rule in the Federal Register to secure the contract information needed to populate a Cattle Contracts Library. The official publication of the final rule is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. The final rule will require packers that slaughtered an average of not less than five percent of the number of fed cattle slaughtered nationally during the immediately preceding five calendar years to submit contractual information for the purchase of cattle.

Technology Options for Official System Discussion Paper for GIAC Meeting December 14-15, 2022 Background

The Grain Inspection Advisory Committee provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on matters related to the implementation of the U.S. Grain Standards Act. A topic of recurring interest over the past decade has been how new technology can be incorporated into the official grading system to improve efficiency, timeliness, consistency and accuracy. (Refer to Exhibit A for relevant resolutions from prior years.) In preparation for the next meeting, a subgroup of the committee collected input from industry and designated / delegated agencies.

USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Virtual Meeting

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service announces a virtual meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. This meeting is being convened to discuss general Federal Advisory Committee operations for newly appointed representatives, hold elections, receive updates from USDA offices, and perform a series of administrative actions.

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