Agriculture Secretary Schafer Comments on Congress' Announcement of a New Farm Bill
Citing advantages of the President's Farm Bill put forth in January 2007, Shafer expressed concerns about increased spending, outdated farm policy, and "a lengthy list of extraneous provisions that are not related to farm programs and have no place in this legislation."  (05/08/08)
— Schafer: President Will Veto Farm Bill (USDA Radio News; 05/08/08 - real, mp3, wave)
— Questions About Farm Bill and What Could Happen Next (USDA Radio News; 05/08/08 - real, mp3, wave)
— Farm Bill Battle Enters a New Stage (USDA Radio News; 05/08/08 - real, mp3, wave)

Finding FAS Staff in Washington, D.C., Just Got Easier!
FAS has launched a new search engine for finding experts in international agriculture and trade at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Find experts by commodity, country, issue, and program, as well as administrative and support, civil rights, and external affairs staff. We invite you to try out the new search engine at http://www.fas.usda.gov/contactlookup/ContactLookup.asp  (05/08/08)
— Find contacts at FAS overseas offices

Russia Allows for Importation of U.S. Livestock
The United States will begin exporting breeding cattle, bovine embryos; breeding, fattening and slaughter swine; and breeding and sport horses to Russia. (05/07/08)

USDA Radio News Updates on Ag Trade
May Crop Report Traditionally Looked Upon With Anticipation (05/07/08 - real, mp3, wave)
Doha Round Deal and Impacts to High Food Prices (05/07/08 - real, mp3, wave)
Schafer on the Farm Bill: Optimistic But Work To Be Done (05/07/08 - real, mp3, wave)
Rice Fields in Burma Devastated by Cyclone (05/07/08 - real, mp3, wave)
Corn Ethanol Produces Both Fuel and Food (05/06/08 - real, mp3, wave)
— Conflicting Data on Ethanol's Role in Food Price Hikes (05/06/08 - real, mp3, wave)

USDA and CFIA Revise Guidelines for the Movement of Potatoes Between the United States and Canada (05/05/08)

Schafer Recognizes Work Of USDA Advisors Who Served In Afghanistan And Iraq (05/02/08)
— USDA Video of the recognition ceremony (05/02/08)
— Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Afghanistan
— Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Iraq

President Asks Congress For An Additional $770 Million For Food Aid (05/01/08)
— Fact Sheet: Leading the Fight Against Hunger

Statement of Joseph Glauber, USDA Chief Economist Before the Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress on World Food Prices (05/01/08; .pdf)
— Several Factors Behind Increasing Food Prices (USDA Radio News; 05/01/08 - real, mp3, wave)
— Global Agricultural Supply and Demand: Factors Contributing to the Recent Increase in Food Commodity Prices (Economic Research Service; 05/01/08)

— USDA Amends GSM-102 Credit Guarantees For Export Sales To Turkey (04/30/08)
— USDA Amends GSM-102 Credit Guarantees For Export Sales To Southeast Asia Region (04/30/08)
— USDA Amends GSM-102 Credit Guarantees For Export Sales To Southeast Balkan Region (04/30/08)
— USDA Amends GSM-102 Credit Guarantees For Export Sales To Russia (04/30/08)