US Department of Agriculture /tags/us-department-of-agriculture US Department of Agriculture en-US Copyright © 2024 Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT Illinois family farmers hoped new federal grant would grow their business. Now it’s cut /economy-business/2025-03-18/illinois-family-farmers-federal-grant-now-cut The federal funding for farmers has been terminated under President Donald Trump’s administration. Family farmers in the Metro East now face abrupt uncertainty about how to fund plans they made for their growing businesses. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2025-03-18/illinois-family-farmers-federal-grant-now-cut Lexi Cortes Bird flu continues to ravage Missouri flocks /news-briefs/2025-02-27/bird-flu-continues-to-ravage-missouri-flocks Avian flu has been found in 13 of Missouri's commercial poultry producers and egg farm flocks in the last month. Close to 400,000 birds in commercial flocks have been affected in the state. Thu, 27 Feb 2025 23:30:00 GMT /news-briefs/2025-02-27/bird-flu-continues-to-ravage-missouri-flocks Sarah Fentem Some farmers in limbo after Missouri limits funding for a USDA grant /2024-10-24/missouri-resilient-food-systems-infrastructure-grant-federal-funding-state-budget Missouri's 2025 state budget includes less than a third of the federal funding the state received for Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program grants. More than a dozen producers with selected projects are without funding for now. Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:26:56 GMT /2024-10-24/missouri-resilient-food-systems-infrastructure-grant-federal-funding-state-budget Skyler Rossi Farmers are making less money this year, which could have larger economic consequences /economy-business/2024-10-07/midwest-farm-crop-prices-income-drops-economy Crop prices have returned to more normal levels this year — down from record highs. As farmers expect less income this year, that's likely to send ripples through the larger agricultural economy. Mon, 07 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-10-07/midwest-farm-crop-prices-income-drops-economy Will Bauer Bird flu hasn’t affected overall milk production or prices — but that could change /economy-business/2024-07-22/bird-flu-milk-production-prices Four months after the first reported cases of bird flu in dairy cows, the price of milk and demand for it have largely remained unchanged. Industry experts say whether that remains the case will depend on how far and how quickly cases spread. Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-07-22/bird-flu-milk-production-prices Will Bauer Cutting SNAP benefits is 'not the right policy,' Agriculture Secretary Vilsack says /government-politics-issues/2024-05-06/agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-against-cutting-snap The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — the food program for low-income individuals — has become one of the hottest topics in farm bill negotiations, as congressional Republicans seek more changes. Mon, 06 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-05-06/agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-against-cutting-snap Will Bauer SBA offers low-interest loans to businesses in 57 Missouri counties affected by drought /health-science-environment/2024-04-01/sba-low-interest-loans-businesses-57-missouri-counties-drought Small nonfarm companies in the St. Louis region that have lost agricultural business due to the recent drought can apply for low-interest federal loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering 30-year max economic injury loans at a 4% interest rate for businesses and 3.25% for nonprofits. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-04-01/sba-low-interest-loans-businesses-57-missouri-counties-drought Andrea Y. Henderson University of Missouri report warns falling prices could squeeze farmers /economy-business/2024-03-25/university-of-missouri-report-warns-falling-prices-could-squeeze-farmers The annual markets outlook from the Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute anticipates declining farm income, higher costs for producers. Mon, 25 Mar 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-03-25/university-of-missouri-report-warns-falling-prices-could-squeeze-farmers Rudi Keller Despite USDA projections, lower crop prices won't instantly show up at grocery stores /economy-business/2023-12-29/usda-predicts-lower-2024-crop-prices The agriculture department’s annual projections show a slowing economy and lower crop prices for the upcoming year. The USDA also looks ahead to the next decade, showing rising crop yields but a competitive job market. Fri, 29 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2023-12-29/usda-predicts-lower-2024-crop-prices Kate Grumke USDA study finds socially disadvantaged farmers operate at a higher risk /economy-business/2023-12-26/socially-disadvantaged-farmers-operate-with-higher-risk A U.S. Department of Agriculture report found “socially disadvantaged producers,” especially Black farmers, operate at a higher risk level compared to their white counterparts and are less likely to receive government payments. Tue, 26 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2023-12-26/socially-disadvantaged-farmers-operate-with-higher-risk Anna Pope