Articles by Oliver Ward

USDA has requested adjustments to Mexican facilities set up to screen cattle exports to the U.S. for the New World Screwworm, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told his Mexican counterpart in a letter obtained by Agri-Pulse.

After serving 12 of the last 16 years as agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack will end his tenure leading USDA at the change of administration Monday.

LA fires become political football * New recharge bills * Vilsack closes out

Lindberg, a former Export-Import Bank official, is a senior fellow at Brooke Rollins' America First Policy Institute and the son-in-law of Senate Majority Leader John Thune. 

Treasury Secretary-designate Scott Bessent told lawmakers in his confirmation hearing that he would protect U.S. farmers from any tariff retaliation by pushing China to live up to its purchasing commitments under the phase one deal.

More Senate confirmation hearings are on tap today. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head EPA, former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, will appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, selected to be interior secretary, will testify before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

A fractured clean air plan * Flows-only path hurts housing * Zeldin, Burgum face Senate hearings today

In his confirmation hearing Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio discussed trade frictions with Mexico, the U.S.-China strategic rivalry and the president-elect's concerns over Chinese actions around the Panama Canal. 

EPA has released a draft risk assessment that says using PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge on farms may expose growers and those eating affected agricultural products to health risks.

CA abandons diesel truck ban, train rules * Wonderful Co. reacts to water hoarding conspiracy * FDA’s packaging proposal