Agricultural Marketing Service 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule implements a recommendation from the National Watermelon Promotion Board to increase the assessment rate from six cents per hundredweight to nine cents per hundredweight. Domestic watermelon producers of 10 acres or more and domestic first handlers of watermelons will each pay four and a half cents per hundredweight, and importers of 150,000 pounds or more annually of watermelons will pay nine cents per hundredweight. This final rule also amends current regulatory language to correct non-substantive and typographical errors.

This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a 3-year extension of a currently approved information collection for the "Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) and under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA)." This approval is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

This document proposes to establish an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products. The proposed program, the Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order), was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), a group of natural grass sod producers. The purpose of the program would be to maintain and expand markets for natural grass sod products and the program would be financed by an assessment on domestic sod producers. This proposed Order also announces that USDA is conducting a referendum among eligible producers to determine whether they favor establishing the program. The program would be established if it is favored by a majority of industry producers voting in the referendum. A separate final rule on referendum procedures is published in this issue of the Federal Register. This proposed Order also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to revise the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon and parts of Nevada and Utah (Far West) for the 2024-2025 marketing year, which began on June 1, 2024. This action would increase the 2024-2025 marketing year Native spearmint oil salable quantity from 678,980 pounds to 731,220 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 26 percent to 28 percent.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection in support of the reporting and recordkeeping requirements under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act). This approval is required under the PRA.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the public comment period on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) by an additional 30 days. The ANPR requests advance comments on proposals to amend the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act to address concerns regarding price discovery and fairness in fed cattle markets.

This final rule adjusts the number of members on the United Soybean Board (Board) to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the Board was last reapportioned in 2021. As required by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act), membership on the Board is reviewed every 3-years and adjustments are made accordingly. These adjustments decrease Board membership for the State of North Dakota from four members to three members and increase Board membership for the State of New York from one member to two members, thus the total number of Board members will remain at 77. These changes will be reflected in the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) and become effective with the Secretary of Agriculture's (Secretary) appointments for terms in 2025.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2024-2025 and subsequent production years from $0.0007 to $0.0003 per pound of assessable pistachios handled under the marketing order. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This proposed rulemaking would implement a recommendation from the Fresh Pear Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2024-2025 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.468 to $0.516 per 44-pound standard box or equivalent for fresh "summer/ fall" pears and fresh "winter" pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA or Department) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS or Agency) is seeking advance comment on a proposal to amend the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act or Act). The purpose of this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) is to solicit feedback on an identified set of regulatory options that AMS could employ to address concerns regarding price discovery and fairness in fed cattle markets. Information from public comments would inform AMS's approach to this topic, including any future regulatory changes.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible Oregon and Washington hazelnut growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, this notice announces an upcoming meeting of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee meets no less than once annually to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the programs and services delivered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Recommendations by the Committee help AMS meet the needs of its customers, who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension and revision of the currently approved information collection for USDA Farmers Market Application.

This proposed rulemaking would implement a recommendation from the Avocado Administrative Committee (Committee) to change the maturity requirements under the marketing order for avocados grown in South Florida. This action would update the avocado maturity shipping schedule to allow certain sizes and weights of the Beta avocado variety to be shipped earlier. A corresponding change would be made to the avocado import regulation as required under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.

Midsouth Grain Inspection Service and Grain Inspection Services of Texas, LLC have applied for designation under the U.S. Grain Standards Act to provide official services in the Southeast Texas designation area. The geographic area is described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is asking for comments on these applicants.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a two-day meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). This meeting is being convened to examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas on how the USDA can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the U.S. produce industry. Agenda items may include, but are not limited to, administrative matters and consideration of recommendations pertaining to labor and production, food safety, infrastructure and sustainability, consumption and nutrition, and data reporting and analysis.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the public comment period an additional 15 days regarding proposed revisions to the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, that promote fair and competitive markets in the livestock, meats, poultry, and live poultry markets.

This proposed rulemaking would implement a recommendation from the California Walnut Board (Board) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2024-2025 and subsequent marketing years from $0.011 to $0.0125 per inshell pound of California walnuts. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) to establish free and restricted percentages for the 2023-24 crop year under the Federal marketing order for tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. This action establishes the proportion of tart cherries from the 2023-24 crop that may be handled in commercial outlets. Adjusting supply to meet market demand should stabilize marketing conditions and help improve grower returns.

This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of the currently approved information collection request Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system. This information collection is necessary to support the procurement of agricultural commodities for domestic and international nutrition assistance programs. AMS issues invitations to purchase fresh and processed commodities for domestic and international nutrition assistance programs on a year-round basis. The extension of the information collection request is required to continue using the WBSCM system, which allows respondents to submit information entered and received electronically in WBSCM. Vendors will be able to access electronically. The information collection burden for respondents should not increase.

This final rule adopts, without change, an interim final rule that temporarily changes the substandard and maturity dockage requirements for raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California (Order). For the 2023- 2024 crop year, the minimum requirements for substandard and maturity dockage in the marketing order's handling regulations are relaxed to accommodate raisins adversely impacted by severe weather conditions.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) requests comments on the need for U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) services in the newly formed Lower Northwest Texas and Southeast Texas geographic areas described below in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. AMS is also asking persons, entities, or governmental agencies interested in providing official inspection and weighing services, in those areas, to apply for designation. The designated USGSA authority for two official agencies, Keokuk Grain Inspection (Keokuk) and North Dakota Grain Inspection, Inc. (NDGI), will end on the prescribed dates listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. AMS is requesting designation applications from interested persons, entities, or governmental agencies that would like to provide official inspection and weighing services for the areas presently served by these two agencies. In addition to this request for applications, AMS seeks comments on the quality of services provided by Keokuk and NDGI.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes multiple clarifying amendments to the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order). The amendments include revising the definition of importer; adding a definition for partnership; clarifying the nominations process; clarifying language about in person and electronic voting for any Board meetings; updating the timing of financial reporting; and revising requirements for when exemptions can be requested. These actions would modify language in the Order to bring it up to date with current industry practices.

This action decreases the assessment rate established for the 2024 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years for California olives as recommended by the California Olive Committee. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee meets no less than once annually to advise AMS on the programs and services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA). The committee is governed in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help AMS better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.