The USDA’s Ag Marketing Service (AMS) announced that a majority of eligible blueberry producers and importers voted in favor of continuing the work of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). The industry created USHBC 26 years ago to give more U.S. consumers more reasons to buy more blueberries, to expand demand for U.S. blueberries in global markets and to provide …

Applications are now open for UC ANR Connect, a grower-informed commercialization program operated by UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, in partnership with ag tech venture firm Farmhand Ventures. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 18. Selected companies receive commercialization support, direct feedback from California growers and agricultural professionals, industry connections and …

The California Walnut Commission (CWC) voiced its support for the USDA’s intent to purchase $30 million of California walnuts through Section 32 authority. The announcement, made Aug. 24 by USDA, is part of Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, which authorizes USDA to purchase agricultural commodities for domestic nutritional assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program …

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announced that it does not expect to purchase and sell sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program for crop year 2026, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2027. The CCC is required by law to quarterly announce estimates of sugar to be purchased and sold under the Feedstock Flexibility Program based on crop …

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) expressed their strong appreciation to the Trump Administration for its continued focus on using all available trade tools to resolve outstanding U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dairy market access issues with Canada. With a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports taking effect on Saturday, the organizations urged Canada to return …

As students across the country return to the classroom, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced that America’s dairy processors have fulfilled the Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment, eliminating the use of certified artificial colors in milk, cheese and yogurt products sold to K–12 schools for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. According to the IDFA, the …

American scientific ingenuity in the form of sterile fly releases helped eliminate New World screwworm from the country in the 1960s. Now, ARS researchers are combining that ingenuity with next-generation tools to counter new resurgences of the pest threatening livestock and wildlife in New Mexico and Texas. “Releasing sterile screwworm flies is a proven, decades-old approach to eliminating populations of …

The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service announced the participant list for its upcoming trade mission to Melbourne, Australia, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. Participants  from California include Best Buy Grocers, Carriere Family Farms, the California Table Grape Commission, the California Milk Advisory Board, Western United Dairies, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Valley Pride Ag Co. Through FAS agribusiness trade missions, …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced a $2 million project to support the development of cost-effective tools that help tree nut handlers control pests and maintain product quality while crops are in storage after harvest. Funded under the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative, this opportunity is part of a broader ASCE suite of investments for …

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced it is now accepting applications for its upcoming trade mission to Singapore, scheduled for Dec. 7 to 9. FAS Agribusiness Trade Missions directly connect American agribusinesses with overseas buyers, expanding market access and boosting exports for U.S. producers. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand …