More than a dozen recently fired USDA employees told Investigate Midwest that mass terminations have stalled irrigation projects, rural housing aid and efforts to combat invasive crop diseases. Remaining staff are overwhelmed; farmers may not receive much needed timely help, former staff say.
While dairy farmers struggle with sick cows, shrinking herds, and lower milk yields, large dairy processors welcome federal price changes that allow them to take a bigger cut of farmers’ earnings.
Georgia, the nation's leading chicken producer, has suspended all poultry sales after detecting its first case of bird flu in a commercial flock. This development adds to the list of states impacted by the ongoing bird flu crisis, including Iowa, California and Ohio.
