WASHINGTON, September 2, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) announces the following actions on designations to officially inspect and weigh grain in specified areas in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee. The entities were designated to inspect and weigh grains based upon a comprehensive selection process.

GIPSA is seeking applicants to provide official services in Jamestown, North Dakota; Lincoln, Nebraska; Memphis, Tennessee; and Sioux City, Iowa areas, and requests comments about the official agencies currently serving these areas. Applications and comments are due by October 2, 2008.

GIPSA has designated Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (Aberdeen); Decatur Grain Inspection, Inc. (Decatur); Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings); John R. McCrea Agency, Inc. (McCrea); Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri); and South Carolina Department of Agriculture (South Carolina) to inspect or inspect and weigh grain effective October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2011. For official grain inspection services, contact Aberdeen at 605-225-8432, Decatur at 217-429-2466, Hastings at 402-462-4254 McCrea at 815-589-9955 Missouri at 573-751-5515, and South Carolina at 843-296-7522.

For further information contact Virginia Roseberry at 202-720-9803, fax 202-690-2755 or e-mail Virginia.V.Roseberry@usda.gov

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GIPSA Release #15-08

Dana Stewart, 202-720-5091