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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Monday reinforced USDA's position that Mexico’s proposed restrictions on genetically modified corn would still break its commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, despite Mexican proposals to soften the rules.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is delaying its listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act in order to give cattle producers time to enroll in conservation agreements.

Lawmakers are back in session this week as leaders look to finish out committee rosters and clear the way for the House and Senate to start hearings on a range of oversight matters and legislative issues, including the farm bill.

Agriculture Department leaders are looking to ensure that billions in government funding are easier to access by the rural communities many federal programs are meant to serve.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack made it clear to reporters earlier this month that the U.S. is not satisfied with Mexico’s latest offer to compromise on its plan to restrict biotech corn imports, but the Biden administration has also sent that message to Mexico City as talks between the two countries continue, says Alexis Taylor, USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

The Agriculture Department is moving to improve its firefighting efforts in the West with more than $490 million in funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.