By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced significant developments aimed at supporting the nation's agricultural sector. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack revealed that $35 million will be allocated to seven new projects as part of the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).
These grants, ranging from $776,819 to $11.77 million, will be distributed across seven states, including California, Iowa, and New York. The funding aims to develop innovative fertilization methods, reduce costs, and optimize fertilizer usage.
So far, 64 projects in 32 states have received a total of $286.6 million through FPEP, with more projects under consideration.
In addition to the fertilizer funding, Vilsack also announced the authorization of a field trial for an H5N1 vaccine. The trial, overseen by the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) in Ames, Iowa, is a crucial step in developing a vaccine to protect cattle from the spread of H5N1, which has affected dairy herds in 13 states this year.
The data from this trial will guide the next steps in ensuring the vaccine’s safe and effective use.
During the same press conference, discussions on the need for a new Farm Bill took center stage. Although House Ag Subcommittee Chair Glenn Thompson expressed optimism about bipartisan efforts to pass the bill, Vilsack was more cautious, emphasizing the importance of completing the bill before the year ends to avoid severe consequences for farmers.
Finally, Vilsack introduced updated guidance for the substantiation of meat and poultry food labels. The new guidelines target voluntary claims like “Grass Fed” and “Raised Without Antibiotics,” ensuring they accurately represent the products.
This update is crucial, as past inspections revealed discrepancies in some antibiotic-free claims. The new measures are designed to maintain consumer trust and ensure that meat products meet their labeled standards.
These USDA announcements underscore the department’s ongoing commitment to supporting American agriculture through funding, innovation, and regulatory updates.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Iowa, Government & Policy