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USDA asks partners to develop AI solutions to accelerate crop innovation

Agriculture

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking steps to speed up progress in plant science by calling on universities and stakeholders to help build new AI tools that can translate the huge amount of germplasm data the agency collects. Through the Genesis Mission and the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, USDA is expected to launch an Agricultural National Science & Technology Challenge later this year. The Challenge will ask innovators to create practical solutions that pull together different types of information—like images, field data, and lab ...

New steps to put farmers first

Agriculture

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced several steps that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking to support America’s farmers in response to ongoing challenges across the agricultural sector. These actions include a series of data modernization, payment flexibility, and enhanced crop insurance options to benefit farmers. “When I travel across farm country, I hear the same message over and over: producers want a USDA that works for them. The Trump USDA is focused on making changes that improve the livelihood of our great farmers. I am pleased ...

Producers are being called to help build their county crop estimates

Agriculture

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service is asking selected producers to complete the USDA’s annual County Agricultural Production Survey. Information reported through the survey helps USDA produce the nation's only official yearly county crop estimates. “Every year, producers across the country use USDA's county crop estimates to compare local yields, understand growing conditions, and make better business decisions,” said Joseph L. Parsons, NASS Administrator. “Those estimates start with information provided by producers ...

Keystone AgTech Alliance to keep Pennsylvania agriculture innovating

Agriculture

PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE, Pa. – Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger recently launched the Keystone AgTech Alliance, signing an agreement with The Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences, Team Pennsylvania, and Innovation Works, Inc. The new alliance aims to accelerate agricultural innovation across Pennsylvania by closely aligning the work of private industry, research institutions, and government toward a common goal of making Pennsylvania the premier state for farmer-centered ...

United States cattle inventory up slightly

Agriculture

WASHINGTON — There were 94.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of July 1, 2026, according to the Cattle report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Other key findings in the report were: Of the 94.2 million head inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.1 million. There are 28.5 million beef cows in the United States as of July 1, 2026, down 1% from last year. The number of milk cows in the United States increased to 9.65 million. U.S. calf crop was estimated at 32.5 million head, down 2% ...