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Tart Cherries Referendum Order for Growers and Processors

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is directing a referendum among tart cherry growers and processors in seven states to determine if they favor continuing Marketing Order No. 930. The referendum will be conducted from March 30 to April 20, 2026. USDA will consider termination if less than 50% of voters and volume favor continuance.

Rule on Federal Assistance Programs for Specialty Crop Research Initiative

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has issued a final rule establishing administrative requirements for its non-formula Federal assistance programs. This rule aims to standardize practices and efficiently implement changes required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, including specific provisions for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative.

Rural Technology Grants: Administrative Provisions for New Era Program

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has issued an interim rule establishing specific administrative requirements for the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program. The rule is effective September 4, 2009, and comments are due by January 4, 2010.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Rules

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has issued an interim rule establishing administrative requirements for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The rule supplements existing general award provisions and is effective September 4, 2009.

USDA Proposed Rule for Dairy Import Licensing Program

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service has proposed amendments to the dairy import licensing program. The changes aim to improve user-friendliness, clarify provisions, update license transfer rules, strengthen suspension and revocation procedures, and advance the surrender date for earlier reallocation.

Farm Service Agency Rule Withdrawn

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has withdrawn a previously published rule. The reason for the withdrawal is that the document was a duplicate of another filing.

FSIS Proposed Rule on Swine Slaughter Line Speeds

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend regulations to allow swine slaughter establishments to determine their own line speeds, provided they maintain process control. FSIS also proposes to clarify inspector authority to reduce line speeds and remove the annual worker condition attestation requirement. Comments are due by April 20, 2026.

OneRD Guaranteed Loan Regulation Technical Amendments

The USDA's Rural Development agencies have issued technical amendments to the OneRD Guaranteed Loan Program final rule. These corrections address an incorrect definition of 'affiliate' and reinstate an erroneously removed definition for 'commercially available'. The amendments are effective December 11, 2025.

USDA OIG Amends Information Availability Rule

The USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has amended its regulation concerning the public availability of its information. These changes update the regulation to reflect internal reorganizations within the OIG, specifically regarding the processing of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The rule is effective December 23, 2016.

USDA GIPSA Withdraws Interim Final Rule on Packers and Stockyards Act

The USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has withdrawn an interim final rule concerning the Packers and Stockyards Act. This withdrawal means that a finding of harm or likely harm to competition will continue to be a necessary element in establishing certain violations under the Act.