USDA Keeps Meat Plant Expansion Program Paperwork
Published Date: 5/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program is asking to keep collecting info to help boost local meat and poultry processing options for farmers and producers. This extension means the program can keep supporting more competition and better choices without changing costs or deadlines. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by July 20, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Program Continues Expanding Processing Capacity
USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program will keep collecting information so it can continue to increase meat and poultry processing capacity and "provide more and better options to producers and consumers" and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.
Applicant Reporting Burden and Hours
Estimated public reporting burden is 4.31 hours per response; there are an estimated 233 respondents, 12 responses per respondent (2,796 total responses), and an estimated total annual burden of 12,049 hours for this information collection (OMB Control Number 0570-0079).
Who Must Provide Application Information
Respondents required to provide information include federally recognized tribes and tribal entities, for-profit entities and corporations, non-profit entities, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local government entities.
Extension Keeps Current Costs and Deadlines
The notice states the extension will let the program continue supporting competition and better choices "without changing costs or deadlines," meaning the information collection is being extended without altering existing costs or timelines.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09722 — Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Business Developmental Grants for Fiscal Year 2026
The USDA is opening up grants to help small businesses in rural areas grow and create jobs in 2026. Starting next year, you’ll only find these grant opportunities online, not in the Federal Register, so keep an eye on their website. If you’re a rural business or group ready to boost your community, now’s the time to apply and grab some funding!
2026-07842 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comments Request; Rural Development Loan Servicing
The USDA wants to update the paperwork for rural loan programs that help small businesses borrow money. If you’re involved in these loans, you might see some changes to the forms and info they ask for. They’re asking for your thoughts by June 22, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work.
2026-07332 — Notice of Rescission of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Energy for America Program
The USDA just canceled the current funding opportunity for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) starting right now. If you already applied but don’t have a signed agreement, you’ll need to apply again once new rules and funding details are announced. This pause means no new money is available until the updated program is ready, so keep an eye out for the fresh application window!
2026-06623 — Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Delta Health Care Services Grant (DHCS) for Fiscal Year 2026
The USDA is offering grants through the Delta Health Care Services program to help improve health care in rural Delta communities. Starting this year, all future funding opportunities will be posted only on the USDA website and grants.gov, not in the Federal Register. If you’re part of a rural health care project, now’s the time to apply and get ready for this new way to find funding!
2026-04581 — OneRD Annual Notice of Guarantee Fee Rates, Periodic Retention Fee Rates, Loan Guarantee Percentage and Fee for Issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee Prior to Construction Completion for Fiscal Year 2026
Starting October 1, 2025, the USDA’s Rural Development agencies are updating the fees and loan guarantee percentages for their loan programs that help rural businesses, housing, utilities, and energy projects. If you’re applying for these loans in fiscal year 2026, expect new rates for guarantee fees, retention fees, and issuance fees before construction finishes. These changes keep the programs running smoothly and support rural communities with fair costs.
2026-04034 — Notice of Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: OMB No. 0570-0067
The USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is updating the paperwork for the Rural Energy for America program and wants your feedback by May 1, 2026. This change affects farmers and small rural businesses applying for energy grants or loans, aiming to make the process clearer and less time-consuming. No big cost changes yet, but your input could help shape a smoother, smarter form-filling experience!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10136 — Reinstatement of Information Collection; Pesticide-Use Proposal
The Forest Service is bringing back a form called the Pesticide-Use Proposal to help manage pesticide use on millions of acres of public lands. This means anyone involved in pesticide work on these lands will need to follow updated rules and submit this form again. Comments on this change are open until July 20, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Next: 2026-10138 — Oil Country Tubular Goods From Austria, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates; Determinations
The U.S. government found that imports of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from Austria, Taiwan, and the UAE might be hurting American businesses by being sold too cheaply or unfairly supported by foreign governments. Because of this, they’re moving forward with a deeper investigation that could lead to new rules or tariffs to protect U.S. companies. If you’re in the oil or steel business, keep an eye out—changes could affect prices and trade soon.