Grain Inspection Fees Rise Slightly for 2025 Farmers

2026-12846 — United States Standards for Grades of Orange Juice

The USDA just updated the rules for grading orange juice, especially how sweet Grade B pasteurized orange juice needs to be, matching FDA’s standards. This change affects juice makers and sellers by making grading clearer and more consistent, with no big cost impacts expected. The new standards are official as of June 25, 2026, so the juice world can sip with confidence!

2026-12563 — Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2025 Amendments)

The USDA is proposing to lower the value used to calculate extra fees on imported cotton, so importers pay the same as U.S. cotton growers. This update keeps the fees fair and reflects changes since 2024. Importers and businesses dealing with cotton products should weigh in by July 23, 2026, before the new rules take effect.

2026-12341 — Domestic Dates Produced or Packed in Riverside County, California; Increased Assessment Rate

If you grow or pack dates in Riverside County, California, get ready! The fee you pay per hundredweight of dates is proposed to jump from 5 cents to 25 cents starting with the 2025-2026 crop year. This change helps support the date industry and will stay in place until something new comes along. Don’t forget to share your thoughts by July 20, 2026!

2026-11847 — Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

The USDA wants to keep collecting info from pecan growers in 16 states and update how they do it. This affects farmers in places like Texas, Georgia, and California, helping the government keep pecan marketing smooth and fair. If you grow pecans, you’ve got until August 11, 2026, to share your thoughts—no extra costs, just a little paperwork refresh!

2026-11883 — Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Continuance Referendum

Pecan growers in 16 states will vote from July 6 to August 3, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage pecan marketing. Only growers who produce a lot of pecans or own enough pecan acres can vote. This decision affects how pecans are handled and could impact growers’ costs and sales in the future.

2026-10880 — Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems; Delay of Effective Date

The USDA is pushing back the start date for new rules about how poultry growers get paid and how capital improvements are handled. Instead of starting July 1, 2026, these rules won’t take effect until December 31, 2027. This delay gives everyone more time to think through the changes and what they mean for growers and poultry dealers.

Previous: 2025-15767 — HGE Energy Storage 6, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications

HGE Energy Storage 6, LLC wants to study building a big new energy storage project at Lake Oroville, California. This project could store lots of water and generate a ton of electricity, but right now they’re just asking for permission to explore the idea. People have 60 days to share their thoughts or suggest competing plans before any big decisions happen.

Next: 2025-15769 — Certificates of Alternative Compliance for the Coast Guard Heartland District

The Coast Guard Heartland District is giving special permission to some unique ships that can’t follow all the usual sea safety light and sound rules because of how they’re built. This helps keep everyone safe without messing up the ship’s design. If you own or work with these special vessels, this update is for you—no extra costs or deadlines, just a heads-up that safety rules are flexible when needed.