USDA Opens Applications to Replace Seven Grain Inspection Agencies

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!

2026-11883 — 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.

2026-11847 — 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!

2026-10880 — 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: 2025-15826 — Information Collection Request to Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0105

The U.S. Coast Guard wants to keep collecting info from barge operators carrying dangerous cargo on certain rivers and waterways, with no changes to the current rules. This affects barge companies in the Heartland and Great Lakes areas and keeps safety reporting on track without extra costs or delays. They’re asking for public feedback before sending their request to the government for approval.

Next: 2025-15829 — Notice of Availability of Assessment of the Newcastle Disease Status of the Cantons of Zürich and Jura of Switzerland

We're planning to officially recognize the Cantons of Zürich and Jura in Switzerland as free from Newcastle disease, a contagious bird illness. This means poultry farmers and bird owners there can expect fewer restrictions soon. You can check out our assessment and share your thoughts before we make it final!