Date: December 13, 2017

Beginning January 10, 2018, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will publish an enhanced Weekly Average Weight of Barrows and Gilts Report to provide additional customer service to the swine industry.  The report will now provide national average weight data on carcass and live hogs along with regional data.  These enhancements will offer more market transparency and provide customers with additional data to use in an evolving and competitive marketplace.

The expanded report replaces the Weekly Estimated Average Live Weights of Barrows and Gilts for Iowa-Southern Minnesota-South Dakota Report.  During a recent review of Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) data, it was found the weight data could be broken down further to reflect regional and national average weight data on carcass and live hogs.

The reports will run side-by-side until March 1, 2018, to ensure customers have time to adapt to the expanded report.  For more information on LMR, visit: www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/mmr.  You may also contact Jim Bernau, Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News Acting Director, at (202) 720-1749; or Taylor Cox, Field Chief, at (515) 284-4460.

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Date: June 19, 2017

Since May 2014, the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) has required dairy and infant formula plants that ship products to China to be registered with them through the publication of facility lists.

To be successfully published on CNCA’s dairy and infant formula plant lists, the plants must be found compliant with Chinese laws and regulations.  On June 15, 2017, CNCA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that recognizes the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) as a third-party certifier eligible to conduct verification audits against Chinese requirements for U.S. dairy and infant formula plants intending to export to China.

Obtaining a verification audit is mandatory for plantsto be registered; plants not registered are not eligible to ship to China.  CNCA has published a catalogue of products (pdf) that require registration.

In order to facilitate understanding of CNCA’s product categories, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified the following Harmonized System (HS) product codes that require registration with CNCA:

• 0401 – Fluid milk and cream of varying fat contents
• 0402 – Concentrated milk, including milk powder, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk
• 0403 – Yogurt, buttermilk, other fermented and acidified milk and cream
• 0404 – Whey and modified whey up to 80% protein; other products of natural milk constituents (including milk protein concentrate and milk permeate, but excluding colostrum)
• 0405 – Butter, dairy spreads, milk fats
• 0406 – Cheese
• 1901.10 – Infant formula

USDA has identified the following HS product codes that do not require registration with CNCA:

• 1702 – Lactose
• 1901.90 – Dairy-based food preparations based on goods of HS 0401-0404
• 2105.00 – Ice cream, edible ice

Plants should note that CNCA has reserved the right to modify the list of products requiring registration, so information contained in this notice is subject to change.  For more information about AMS audit verification services, please contact:

Michael Eichorst
Administrative Officer
AMS Dairy Grading National Field Office
Tel:  630-810-9999
Email:  DairyNFO@ams.usda.gov

OR

AMS Dairy Program
Tel:  202-720-4392

OR

Carrie L. Sayasithsena
National Program Coordinator, All Products, Grade Labels, Resident Programs, Export Certification
AMS Dairy Grading and Standards
Tel:  202-720-9381
Email:  DairyNFO@ams.usda.gov

For further information regarding the CNCA/FDA MOU or how AMS audit services will be used in the registration process, please refer to FDA’s Guidance for Industry on Establishing and Maintaining a List of U.S. Milk and Milk Product, Seafood, Infant Formula, and Formula for Young Children Manufacturer/Processors with Interest in Exporting to China.

For further information regarding CNCA’s registration requirements, please contact the Foreign Agricultural Service: agexport@fas.usda.gov or (202) 720-2378.

Date: Friday, January 13, 2017 - 11:00am

Contact Info: Sam Jones-Ellard

Release No.:  191-16

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed 17 members and 17 alternate members to serve on the Cotton Board.  All appointees will serve 3-year terms ending on Dec. 31, 2019. 

The re-appointed members are:  Walter L. Corcoran, Eufoula, Ala.; David J. DeFelix, Campbellton, Fla.; James L. Webb, Leary, Ga.; Suzanne R. Drouhard, Danville, Kan.; Kim M. Mayberry-Holifield, Kennett, Mo.; Jess “Mark” M. Nichols, Altus, Okla.; R. Guy Darby, Jr., Chester, S.C.; Willie L. German, Somerville, Tenn.; Madison "Matt" Farmer, Lamesa, Texas; Lance V. Everett, Stony Creek, Va.; Helga L. Ying, Piedmont, Calif.; Michael D. Wallace, Bentonville, Ark.; Joe D. Long, Irvine, Ky.; Peter M. McGrath, Addison, Texas; and, Arlene M. Eastwood, Neptune, N.J.     

The re-appointed alternate members are: Timothy J. Mullek, Robertsdale, Ala.; Alan J. Edwards, Jay, Fla.; Benjamin R. Grimsley, Weston, Ga.; Thomas L. Lahey, Moscow, Kan.; Clint D. Abernathy, Altus, Okla.; Catherine S. Via, Bells, Tenn.; Sigifredo "Sigi" Valverde, Shallowater, Texas; Sarah "Sally" M. Gilligan, San Francisco, Calif.; James C. Self III, Greenville, S.C.; Gary E. Ross, Yardley, Pa.; and, Tara E. Hoffman, New York, N.Y.

The newly appointed members are: Alisa Ogden, Carlsbad, N.M.; and, Monica J. Gorman, Winchester, Mass.

The newly appointed alternate members are: Albert R. James, Sikeston, Mo.; Nathan H. Jurva, Carlsbad, N.M.; Don B. Wakefield, Jackson, S.C.; Shelley S. Butler Barlow, Suffolk, Va.; Laurie A. Rando, Scotch Plain, N.J.; and, Crystal A. Button, Great Neck, N.Y.

Secretary Vilsack also appointed Darren J. Hembree, Doerun, Ga., as an alternate member to fill a vacant Georgia position with a term expiring December 31, 2018.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at http://www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Date: February 28, 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it is conducting a required five-year review of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act) Amendments of 1990 to determine if a referendum is needed on the continuation of these amendments. In such a referendum, producers and importers would determine whether they favor continuation of the amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.

A notice published today in the Federal Registerinvites producers, importers and all other interested parties to submit written comments. USDA will consider comments in determining if a referendum is warranted and will announce the decision later this year.

Authorized under the Cotton Research and Promotion Act, the Cotton Board administers the national promotion and research program to maintain and expand markets for Upland cotton.

AMS monitors the operations of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program.

Comments will be accepted until April 28, 2017. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this notice to Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406 or at CottonRP@ams.usda.gov. Comments may also be submitted electronically through www.regulations.gov.

Date:  Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - 4:00pm

Contact Info:  Carl E. Purvis

Release No.: 082-17

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2017 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill 13 member and 13 alternate positions on the Cotton Board.

The Cotton Board represents Domestic cotton producers and importers. Nominations are made by certified producer organizations (CPO) and certified importer organizations (CIO). The CPOs and the CIOs will caucus to nominate two qualified persons for each open position representing their state. The Secretary of Agriculture then appoints members and alternates from the list of nominees.

Members and alternates serve staggered 3-year terms. Open positions this round will represent cotton producers from Arkansas, California/Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Nominees are also sought to fill vacancies for importers.

Appointees will serve terms that begin on Jan. 1, 2018, and end Dec. 31, 2020.

Release & Contact Info

Press Release

Release No. 0018.18

Contact: USDA Press
Email: press@oc.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2018 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of three members to serve on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. The appointed producers and marketing expert who will serve three-year terms are:

• Jeremy Geske, Producer, New Prague, Minn.
• Brenda J. Reau, Producer, Petersburg, Mich.
• Steve W. Lewis, Expert in Marketing, Artesia, N.M.

“The Sheep Center was established to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. sheep industry and these appointees bring experience that will serve this agricultural sector well,” said Perdue.

The board is composed of seven voting members and two non-voting members. Voting members of the board include four members who are active producers of sheep in the United States, two members that have expertise in finance and management, and one member that has expertise in lamb, wool, or lamb product marketing. Non-voting members of the board include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretaries for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Research, Education, and Economics. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight of the center.

Additional information can be found on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Website at www.nsiic.org.

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Release & Contact Info

Press Release

Release No. 0019.18

Contact: USDA Press
Email: press@oc.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2018 - Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of five members to serve on the American Lamb Board. The members appointed to serve three-year terms are:

• Sally J. Scholle, Producer, Littlestown, Pa.
• David Quam, Producer, San Angelo, Texas
• Peter J. Camino, Feeder, Buffalo, Wyo.
• Elizabeth A.W. Dressler, First Handler, Parker, Colo.
• Greg Deakin, Seedstock Producer, Cuba, Ill.

“These appointees represent a cross section of the lamb industry with great experience in the industry and I know they will help us better meet the needs of our American farmers, ranchers, and producers,” said Perdue.

The American Lamb Board is composed of 13 members including six U.S. producers, three feeders, three first handlers, and one seedstock producer. The board is authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. Since 1966, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity for participating stakeholders.

A list of board members is available on the AMS American Lamb Board webpage. More information can also be found on the American Lamb Board’s website.

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Release No. 0023.18

Contact: USDA Press
Email: press@oc.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the launch of a new electronic data platform to deliver market price information to the commodities industry. The new web-based platform, Market Analysis and Reporting Services (MARS), uses state-of-the-art technology to present detailed data sets in a more customer-focused way to better support competitive markets for producers and help stabilize food prices for American families.

“USDA Market News is the most relied upon source of unbiased agricultural market data,” said Greg Ibach, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “USDA’s on-site market reporters gather, analyze and publish unbiased data all day long to ensure fair food prices for consumers across the country and around the world. The MARS project applies the best data management practices to make that data available when and where farmers, packers and processors need it.”

As Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue promised last summer, USDA staff are using the latest technologies available to deliver the most effective, most efficient, customer-focused service in the federal government. MARS improves the transparency, speed and accuracy of USDA Market News, and facilitates the flow of data from more than 3,600 markets to AMS analysts and ultimately to producers, industry and the public. The new dynamic interface provides data analysts one-stop instant access to agricultural commodity data through a searchable database with the ability to create custom reports, data sets and data visualizations to make large amounts of information more easily understandable in a fraction of the time. Businesses may also utilize the built-in application program interface (API) to use the data to create new uses for the data as customer needs evolve.

On Feb. 2, 2018, Market News information for dairy products will be the first set of data and reports available through MARS followed by Cotton and Tobacco, scheduled for April 2018. Dates for Livestock, Poultry and Grain and Specialty Crops will be announced on the new My Market News website. It is anticipated that all Market News data will be moved to the new system by March 2019. USDA’s existing Market News website will continue to post data until all commodities are available through MARS.

To learn more about MARS, participate in our overview webinar or visit the new My Market News web portal.

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Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 - 10:00am

Contact Info: Peter Wood

                     peter.wood@ams.usda.gov

                     202-720-6179

Release No.: 031-18

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) submitted a Report to Congress that reviews the Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) Program and includes feedback from a broad range of stakeholders.  The program gets its authority through the LMR Act of 1999, which must be reauthorized by Congress every five years, and the most recent reauthorization was in 2015.

“From the small producer looking to market a few head of cattle to the large packer managing risk exposure, LMR provides critical market intelligence,” said Greg Ibach, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “This review provided an opportunity for the best minds of the livestock and meat sectors to come together to improve and expand on this great service.”

Consistent with the Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015, AMS worked with USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist and a diverse group of stakeholders to study the marketing methods and challenges with reporting livestock and meat markets to help identify program improvements and promote an orderly reauthorization of LMR in 2020.

Through a series of stakeholder meetings, AMS identified, and in many cases implemented, various recommendations to strengthen the program and provide industry with more meaningful data.  Information gathered from these meetings and from several studies is the basis for the Report to Congress to inform the next reauthorization.

AMS strives to continually meet the data needs of stakeholders.  Given this collaboration, stakeholders identified a small number of legislative changes to the program.  The most pressing issue identified by the livestock and meat industry is how to access the most data while ensuring the confidentiality of proprietary transactions and market participants.  Due to industry consolidation, confidentiality requirements have limited some of the information AMS can publish, a particularly critical issue for the lamb industry.  Another common theme expressed by the cattle and swine industries was the ongoing concern about the thinness of the negotiated market.  Negotiated trade has been rapidly replaced by formula pricing, forward markets, and longer-term marketing agreements.

For LMR to remain an effective tool, AMS and industry, in concert with Congressional direction, must continually assess new market developments to determine the best ways to improve market reporting.  AMS remains committed to responding dynamically to industry needs by addressing critical market reporting issues while providing market transparency and preserving the confidentiality of market participants.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

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June 3, 2019

On August 27, 2018, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, announced details of actions the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would take to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation.  As part of those actions, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service announces the Food Purchase under the authority of Section 5 of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.  Products to be procured include but are not limited to:

Material Code

Material Description

Date

Delivery Time frame

100001

BUTTER PRINT SALTED 36/1 LB

June 2019

October 1, 2019 -
December 15, 2019

110396

MOZZARELLA STRING CHEESE, LOW MOISTURE PART SKIM

360/1 OZ UNIT

July 2019

October 1, 2019-

December 15, 2019

Solicitations will be issued in the near future, and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system.  A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available. Public WBSCM information is available without an account on the WBSCM Public Procurement Page. All future information regarding this acquisition, including solicitation amendments and award notices, will be published through WBSCM, and on the Agricultural Marketing Service's website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food. Interested parties shall be responsible for ensuring that they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The contract type is anticipated to be firm-fixed price. Deliveries are expected to be to various locations in the United States on an FOB destination basis.

Pursuant to Agricultural Acquisition Regulation 470.103(b), commodities and the products of agricultural commodities acquired under this contract must be a product of the United States to be considered to be such a product if it is grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States. Packaging and container components under this acquisition will be the only portion subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements, as addressed by FAR clause 52.225-5.

Offerors are urged to review all documents as they pertain to this program, including the latest—

• AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements (MSCP), March 25, 2019;
• Applicable commodity specification(s) identified in the subsequent solicitation(s); and
• Qualification Requirements for Prospective Contractors Selling Commodities to USDA, March 1, 2017.

These documents are available on the AMS Commodity Procurement website.

To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements. The AMS point of contact for new vendors is Andrea Lang who can be reached by phone at (202) 720-4237 or by email to NewVendor@ams.usda.gov. Details of these requirements are available online at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/becoming-approved. Once qualification requirements have been met, access to WBSCM will be provided. Bids, modifications, withdrawals of bids, and price adjustments shall be submitted using this system. Submission of the above by any means other than WBSCM will be determined nonresponsive.

To receive e-mail notification of the issuance of AMS solicitations, contract awards, and other information, subscribe online by visiting: “Stay up to date on USDA Food Purchases” available on the AMS Commodity Procurement website.

In an effort to assist all impacted producers, these acquisitions will not be set-aside for small business.   Adjustments to the information in this notice may be subject to change due to growing conditions; product availability; market conditions; trade negotiation status; and program capacity. The acquisition schedules are subject to change at the unilateral right of the Government.

Inquiries may be directed to the Contracting Officer, Jeffrey Jackson, via email at jeffrey.jackson@usda.govor to Bill Lang via email at william.lang@usda.gov

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