Radio Features Archive

In efforts to assist farmers and ranchers mitigate impacts of drought, the Agriculture Department is combining both traditional and pilot programs to give producers greater flexibilities to overcome challenges to their crops and livestock. Rod Bain looks at some of these offerings in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Risk Management Agency Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy. Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Terry Cosby. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

How much of your 2020 income do you think went to buy food? The answer may surprise you. Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA economist, Eliana Zeballos.

Capacity Building Grants offered by the Agriculture Department are assisting Historical Black Colleges and Universities in their efforts to build up research, teaching, and extension resources. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and National Institute of Food and Agriculture Administrator Carrie Castille.

Are honeybees making a comeback after years of colony losses? A new report has some clues to that question. Gary Crawford has the story.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Travis Averill with USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Kyle Grubbs with USDA's Bee Research Lab in Beltsville, Maryland.

A nationwide hunt is on this month for one of America's least wanted invasive insects, a heartless killer of trees. Gary Crawford has more.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Rhonda Santos with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.MPTTP
**Broadcasters--If listeners think they've spotted an Asian longhorned beetle, they can call a special hotline at 1-866-702-9938 or report online at www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com.**

Christmas tree growers are working hard in record-breaking heat getting those trees ready for us this winter. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Christmas tree growers, John Tillman, Beth Walterscheidt and Jim Gehlsen.

Farmers and ranchers experiencing drought impacts to their crops and livestock can turn various USDA programs for assistance. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux

Lately the U.S. has been buying more agricultural products from other nations than it's been selling. Gary Crawford has the latest look.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Bart Kenner, USDA economist

One reflection of the uniqueness of last year can be found within USDA's latest edition of its annual Farm Production Expenditures Report. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer

USDA's annual look at ag land values and cash rental rates for land reflect the trends of commodity prices in 2020 and the first part of 2021. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer

More crop and livestock commodities were covered by expanding drought, as noted in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey