Welcome to our latest update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This week, the most significant headline comes from the new USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, who has been making waves with her bold and contentious actions aimed at reshaping the department.

Secretary Rollins has issued a memorandum to rescind all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs and celebrations within the USDA, focusing instead on unity, equality, meritocracy, and color-blind policies. She has also sent a letter to the nation’s governors, detailing her vision for the department and inviting them to participate in a new “laboratories for innovation” initiative. This initiative aims to create bold solutions to long-ignored challenges in agriculture.

One of the immediate concerns Secretary Rollins is addressing is the economic downturn in the farming industry. She plans to swiftly distribute the $10 billion in economic aid authorized by Congress to farmers who have been struggling with economic losses. Additionally, she is tackling the spread of animal diseases, including the bird flu, which has severely impacted U.S. poultry flocks and driven up egg prices.

In other news, the USDA has announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs, including Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as well as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). Producers can submit applications from January 21 to April 15 for ARC and PLC, and from January 29 to March 31 for DMC.

The USDA has also released the February 2025 Feed Outlook report, which shows no changes to the 2024-25 U.S. corn supply and demand outlook. Corn cash prices are rising in tandem with strong demand for U.S. corn, with the average 2024-25 corn price projected 10 cents higher at $4.35 per bushel.

These developments have significant impacts on American citizens, businesses, and state and local governments. For instance, the changes in farm subsidies and insurance programs could affect the livelihoods of farmers and the overall agricultural industry. The public can engage with these changes by submitting comments on proposed regulations and participating in public forums.

Looking ahead, the USDA is preparing for potential changes in its oversight roles, including proposed legislative changes to enhance U.S. government oversight and expand the membership of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

For more information on these developments, visit the USDA’s website. If you’re interested in providing public input, check out the USDA’s public comment periods. Stay tuned for our next update on the USDA’s latest news and developments.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI