The biggest headline from the Department of Agriculture this week is Secretary Brooke Rollins’ announcement of the most ambitious federal plan yet to protect American livestock, wildlife, and pets from the New World Screwworm. Speaking from the Texas State Capitol, Secretary Rollins described the northward spread of this destructive pest as a direct threat not only to ranchers but to the nation’s food supply and security. This five-pronged plan doesn’t just involve federal scientists—it brings together the Food and Drug Administration to accelerate treatment approvals, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to innovate defense technologies, and U.S. Customs and CDC to ramp up border inspections and public health readiness.

For American farmers and business owners, this coordinated response means increased vigilance at state borders and the promise of new tools to keep herds healthy, potentially saving billions annually in avoided losses. It also spells tighter industry partnerships and significant investments in rapid detection and response—key as animal health disasters can ripple through local economies and even affect global markets. For state governments, it means deeper collaboration with federal experts and new funding to strengthen preparedness, while international partners watch closely given the cross-border nature of the threat.

But that’s not the only headline you’ll want to track—Secretary Rollins also signed the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, highlighting expanded market opportunities following new trade wins. “American farmers feed and fuel the world,” Rollins said, “and this report equips them with the trusted, timely data they need to make informed business decisions.” Thanks to inflation easing and new trade agreements, analysts say growers can plan ahead with more certainty. The WASDE remains the gold standard for market planning—so those in agribusiness, finance, and state policy should be watching this data closely.

On the regulatory front, changes to school nutrition standards are coming, but schools have breathing room: no adjustments to menus this year. Starting fall 2025, however, expect gradual sodium and added sugar reductions in student meals, designed with input from both schools and the food industry for a realistic, staged implementation. USDA emphasizes ongoing support for local schools, including federal funding for new kitchen equipment, menu training, and food safety upgrades.

And speaking of food safety, the newly modernized Midwestern Laboratory in Missouri opened this month, backed by bipartisan support, to accelerate and widen foodborne pathogen testing—23,000 *Listeria* samples this year alone, up over 200 percent from 2024, with a 52 percent jump in food safety assessments at plants. This improvement directly impacts Americans’ dinner tables, shrinking risk of outbreaks and enabling quicker recalls if needed.

If you’d like to shape some of these decisions, here’s your opportunity: the USDA has opened a public comment period on its proposed department reorganization. This is your moment—farmers, business leaders, and citizens alike—to weigh in on how the agency should modernize its structure for the future. Look for details on USDA’s website and make your voice heard before the deadline closes.

Looking ahead, keep an eye out for the finalized school nutrition rules coming this winter, more WASDE reports for market updates, and likely further details on government partnerships to block agricultural pests. For the full text of new policies, ways to engage, or the latest safety notices, head directly to usda.gov.

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