Agri-Pulse staff

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2013 – The Agriculture Department issued a reminder today to farmers and ranchers that it is not too late to participate in the 2012 Census of Agriculture.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2013 - President Obama nominated Sally Jewell today to replace outgoing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who is set to step down in March.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2013 – Twenty-eight senators have called on the Agriculture Department and the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure that updated country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules let U.S. consumers know where their meat is produced.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2013 – Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., announced today a series of committee and personal staff changes, including naming his chief of staff T.A. Hawks as Republican staff director of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.

After weeks of speculation, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced he would be stepping down from his position in the Obama Cabinet.

The federal rules governing the types of snacks to be sold in schools will soon be open for public comment, USDA announced today.

The USDA will begin a pilot program to test the cost-effectiveness of including strained yogurt, or Greek yogurt, in school meal programs, said the USDA Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon in a letter to Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 – A comprehensive immigration reform package containing a new agricultural worker program should emerge from the Senate in “late spring or summer” and give the House time to approve a bill before the end of the year, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its volumetric requirements proposed for 2013 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). The proposal is open for a 45-day public comment period.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 – The Senate approved legislation (H.R. 325) today, with a 64-34 vote, which would allow for a short-term increase in the nation’s debt limit and would withhold salaries from members of Congress if either chamber fails to approve a budget.