🐖Proposed Changes to Swine Slaughter Inspection Regulations
FSIS is proposing to end mandatory mandibular lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation of swine carcasses in all swine slaughter establishments (i.e., establishments operating under traditional swine slaughter inspection or the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS). Mandibular lymph nodes ("lymph nodes") incision and viscera palpation of swine carcasses are not needed to ensure food safety, as FSIS swine condemnation rates are low and disease conditions that are condemnable defects can be detected visually through other pathological changes in the carcass and its parts. Therefore, FSIS is proposing to amend the meat inspection regulations to remove requirements for establishment sorters to "incise mandibular lymph nodes and palpate the viscera" as part of their sorting activities before FSIS post-mortem inspection in NSIS establishments. FSIS is also proposing to amend the post-mortem swine inspection staffing standards table applicable to swine slaughter establishments operating under traditional inspection. This change would allow FSIS more flexibility to assign inspection program personnel (IPP) based on the establishment's line configuration, other establishment operations, and FSIS staffing needs.
Learn More🌾Impact of 2025/2026 Grain Inspection and Weighing Service Fees
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS or the Agency) is announcing the 2025/2026 rates it will charge for official grain inspection and weighing services, supervision of official grain inspection and weighing services, and miscellaneous fees for other services performed under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. This action publishes the resulting fees from the annual review of fees. The 2025/2026 hourly, unit, and tonnage rates will be applied at the beginning of the fiscal year. This action establishes the rates for user-funded services based on costs incurred by AMS. This year, cost-based analyses indicated the need to increase certain user fee rates when current rates are insufficient to cover the costs of providing the service. While cost-saving measures have and will continue to be implemented, user fee rate increases are necessary to offset rising operational costs and rebuild the user fee reserve. Prospective customers can find the fee schedule posted on the Agency's public website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/fgis-program- directives.
Learn More🌾Comments Requested on Farm Loan Programs Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with the Direct Loan Making and Loan Servicing Program. The collected information is used in eligibility and feasibility determinations on farm loan applications as well as to determine borrower compliance with loan agreements, assist the borrower in achieving business goals, and regular servicing of the loan account such as graduation, subordination, partial release, and use of proceeds.
Learn More🌱Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB assists USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).
Learn More⚡Notice of Information Collection Revision for USDA Electric Loan Programs
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD), announces its intention to request a revision to a currently approved information collection package for the RUS Electric Loan programs. The Agency invites comments on this information collection for which it intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Learn More🌱APHIS Withdraws EIS Notices for Genetically Engineered Organisms
This notice advises the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is withdrawing notices of intent to prepare environmental impact statements for two petitions seeking determinations of nonregulated status for organisms developed using genetic engineering. APHIS' decision to withdraw the notices of intent is consistent with APHIS' July 9, 2025 Program Update that as of that date, APHIS will no longer prepare an analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act to accompany its review of petitions seeking a determination of nonregulated status. This document provides public notice of this withdrawal.
Learn More🌾Changes to ECAP Eligibility and Application Deadlines Announced
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing this notice to announce a change to ECAP related to subsequent acres of eligible commodities. It also announces the deadline to apply for an ECAP payment for the additional acres that are now eligible as a result of the change announced in this notice.
Learn More🍏National Average Value of Donated Foods for School Programs (2025-2026)
This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2026 (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) for each lunch served by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Learn More🧀Dairy Import License Adjustment Announced by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
This notice announces the transfer of amounts for certain dairy articles from the historical license category (Appendix 1) to the lottery (nonhistorical) license category (Appendix 2) pursuant to the Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing regulations for the 2025 quota year.
Learn More🌱USDA Seeks Comments on Earth Team Volunteer Program Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with Volunteer Program-- Earth Team. The Volunteer Interest and Placement Summary and the Timesheet forms are used by the respondents. The information NRCS collects on the forms is used to match the skills of individuals, who are 14 years of age or older and interested in volunteering for opportunities that will further NRCS's mission. Applicable Dates: We will consider comments that we receive by October 14, 2025.
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