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Briefing Rooms

By Title

Agricultural Baseline Projections: This report provides longrun (10-year) projections for the agricultural sector through 2017. Projections cover agricultural commodities, agricultural trade, and aggregate indicators of the sector, such as farm income and food prices.
February 12, 2008
Agricultural Biotechnology: This briefing room provides ERS research results on adoption and economics of biotechnology in farming systems in the United States; marketing, labeling and segregation issues associated with trade in genetically modified foods; and agricultural research and development of biotechnology, including public-private partnerships and intellectual property rights.
March 19, 2001
Agricultural Chemicals and Production Technology: The goal of this briefing room is to show how farmers combine land, water, commercial inputs, labor, and their management skills into practices and systems to produce food and fiber. This room highlights the ERS research program to develop information useful to the design of policies that encourage the use of technologies and practices consistent with a more sustainable agro-environmental system. The program examines the factors that influence the decisions of farmers to use environmentally-preferred pest, nutrient, and soil management practices and technologies, and assesses the environmental and economic effects of these decisions.
April 19, 2006
Agricultural Research and Productivity: Public and private agricultural research has been the foundation of much of the growth in agricultural productivity. ERS quantifies and measures agricultural productivity, analyzes the sources of productivity increases, and investigates the roles of both public and private sectors in enhancing the stock of agricultural knowledge and developing new technologies.
December 23, 2008
Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS): The Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) is USDA's primary source of information on the financial condition, production practices, resource use, and economic well being of America's farm households. Sponsored jointly by ERS and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), ARMS began in 1996 as a synthesis of the former USDA cropping practice, chemical use, and farm costs and returns surveys, which dated back to 1975. ARMS data are essential to USDA, congressional, administration, and industry decisionmakers when weighing alternative policies and programs that touch the farm sector or affect farm families. In short, ARMS is the mirror in which American farming views itself.
February 7, 2006
Animal Production and Marketing Issues: Animal products account for the majority (51 percent) of the value of U.S. agricultural products, exceeding $100 billion per year. ERS analyzes conditions and events that influence supply, demand, trade, and prices in livestock, dairy, poultry, and aquaculture markets. This briefing room examines issues not easily assigned to a particular livestock commodity, such as price reporting or animal health and welfare.
January 6, 2009
Aquaculture: Aquaculture is defined as the production of aquatic animals and plants under controlled conditions for all or part of their lifecycle. ERS provides background, data, and analysis on the domestic aquaculture industry and U.S. trade in aquacultural products.
May 5, 2008
Bioenergy: Rising fossil fuel prices and policy changes, including the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, have created an environment where research development and investment in renewable energy sources have gained new momentum. Among renewable energy sources, bioenergy derived from plant materials has been one of the most rapidly growing sectors. In the United States at this time, ethanol (produced mainly from corn) is the largest source of bioenergy used as a fuel additive or substitute for petroleum fuel, while biodiesel (made from vegetable oils and fats) provides a smaller share of bioenergy. ERS information products include current estimates and projections of commodity supply, demand, and retail food prices. Further information and analyses describe conditions of the U.S. agricultural system, land use, rural communities, and the environment, and the impacts that bioenergy development may have on these areas.
December 2, 2008
Brazil: Over the past decade, Brazil has consolidated its position as an important agribusiness producer and major food supplier to international markets. Brazilian agriculture has benefited from currency devaluations, low production costs, rapid technological advancements, and domestic and foreign investment to expand production capacity. Brazil is a very competitive exporter of soybeans, soymeal, sugar, poultry, beef, coffee, tobacco, frozen concentrated orange juice, soyoil, and ethanol. Brazil, a pioneer in biofuels production, is a world leader in using fuel ethanol in the transport sector. ERS economists provide analysis on Brazil's agricultural production, trade, and policy.
May 6, 2005
Cattle: The United States has the largest fed-cattle industry in the world, and is the world's largest producer of beef, primarily high-quality, grain-fed beef for domestic and export use. Beef production is related to the cattle cycle, a series of peaks and troughs in herd size and production that typically lasts from 8 to 12 years. Because the cattle/beef industry is a major user of feed grains, beef production is also affected by grain supplies and prices. ERS analyzes conditions and events that influence supply, demand, trade, and prices in domestic and global cattle and beef markets.
November 24, 2008
Child Nutrition Programs: The Child Nutrition Programs briefing room provides a central point for obtaining information about the four major domestic food assistance programs that USDA administers, exclusively or primarily serving the nutritional needs of children—the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. In addition, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides fruit and vegetable snacks free to children in schools in selected States and Indian reservations. The briefing room highlights research, publications, and data related to child nutrition programs.
December 22, 2008
China: The China Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research and analysis on China's agriculture. It includes basic agricultural information; analysis of agricultural trade, and policies; and links to related sites.
January 24, 2008
Conservation Policy: This Briefing Room reports on ERS research on the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of policies and programs directed toward improving the environmental performance of the agricultural sector.
April 30, 2007
Corn: Corn is the most widely produced feed grain in the United States, accounting for more than 90 percent of total value and production of feed grains. Most of the crop is used as the main energy ingredient in livestock feed. Corn is also processed into a multitude of food and industrial products including starch, sweeteners, corn oil, beverage and industrial alcohol, and fuel ethanol. The United States is a major player in the world corn trade market, with approximately 20 percent of the corn crop exported to other countries. ERS analyzes events in the domestic and global corn markets that influence supply, demand, trade, and prices.
July 20, 2006
Cotton: Cotton is the single most important textile fiber in the world, accounting for nearly 40 percent of total world fiber production. While some 80 countries from around the globe produce cotton, the United States, China, and India together provide over half the world's cotton. The United States, while typically ranking second to China in production, is the leading exporter, accounting for over one-third of global trade in raw cotton. ERS analyzes events in the U.S. and international cotton and textile markets that influence supply, demand, prices, and trade.
August 28, 2006
Dairy: Milk has a farm value of production second only to beef among livestock industries and equal to corn. Dairy farms, overwhelmingly family-owned and managed regardless of size, are generally members of producer cooperatives. Dairy products range from cheese, fluid milks, yogurt, butter, and ice cream to dry or condensed milk and whey products, used mostly as ingredients in processed foods. ERS provides research and analysis on milk production, the marketing and consumption of dairy products, international dairy trade, and government programs.
August 13, 2004
Diet Quality and Food Consumption: The Diet Quality and Food Consumption briefing room provides a central point for obtaining information about economic analyses of the Nation’s food consumption trends, consumer reactions to changes in food prices and income, dietary patterns, and the relationship between food intake and nutritional/health outcomes such as obesity. The briefing room also highlights ERS-developed data systems to study the determinants of food consumption trends and to inform policymakers and the public about these trends.
July 16, 2008
Dry Beans: The Dry Bean Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. dry edible bean markets, including current and historical data on supply, use, trade, and prices by bean class.
November 3, 2008
Environmental Interactions with Agricultural Production: This Briefing Room describes economic research on the impacts of agricultural production practices on the environment.
April 30, 2007
European Union: The European Union (EU) is one of the most important trading partners and competitors of the United States in world agricultural markets. European agricultural policy has long had a major impact on world agricultural markets, and the EU is one of the key participants in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on agricultural trade. ERS provides information and analysis on the EU agricultural sector, particularly on issues related to policy, enlargement, and WTO commitments.
September 3, 2008
[Archived] European Union Briefing Room, 2001-07: The 2001-07 version of the European Union (EU) Briefing Room offered information and analysis on EU agricultural policy and policy reforms, the effects of the EU's Uruguay Round commitments on their agricultural sector, the impact of EU enlargement, and the EU monetary union and single currency. In addition, the Briefing Room included basic agricultural information, analysis of EU agricultural trade, and links to related sites. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in September 2008.
September 3, 2008
Farm and Commodity Policy: The Farm and Commodity Policy Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research and analyses of the economic effects on producers, consumers, taxpayers, and rural communities of current farm legislation and alternative policy instruments and programs.
October 6, 2008
[Archived] Farm and Commodity Policy, 1996-2007: The 1996-2007 version of the Farm and Commodity Policy Briefing Room offered a synthesis of ERS research and analyses of the economic effects on producers, consumers, taxpayers, and rural communities of the 1996 and 2002 Farm Acts (Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) and alternative policy instruments and programs. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in April 2008.
April 25, 2008
Farm Household Economics and Well-Being: The Farm Household Economics and Well-Being briefing room focuses on indicators of the economic well-being of the households of the principal operators of family farms. It includes USDA's latest forecast for 2008. Indicators of well-being include household income and wealth (from both farm and off-farm sources), and indicators of health insurance coverage. The briefing room compares the financial well-being of farm households relative to all U.S. households, identifies the contributions of off-farm employment, non-farm self-employment, transfer payments, and financial market investments in household income, and discusses how taxes influence both income and wealth. The briefing room also describes the demographic characteristics of the principal farm operator households and how members of these households allocate their time to farm and off-farm work.
November 25, 2008
[Archived] Farm Policy, Farm Households, and the Rural Economy: The Farm Policy, Farm Households, and the Rural Economy Briefing Room offered a historical perspective on the evolution of U.S. commodity policy, rural households, and rural America. It sought to provide an umbrella for ERS research focusing on farm policy and potential policy reforms with respect to the well-being of farm households and rural communities. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in October 2007.
October 17, 2007
Farm Risk Management: Uncertainty in prices, yields, government policies, and foreign markets means that risk management plays an important role in many farm business decisions. A number of risk management tools are available, including yield and revenue insurance, futures and options, contracting sales and purchases, enterprise diversification, debt-level management, credit availability, and off-farm employment. Government programs addressing farm risk management have also played a larger role in U.S. farm policy in recent years.
October 17, 2008
Farm Structure: Farm structural characteristics underlie the efficiency and competitiveness of the farm sector, the well-being of farm households, the design of public policies, and the nature of rural areas. Farm structure covers the number and size of farms; farm specialization and diversification; ownership and control of resources; business arrangements, including contractual agreements; the concentration of production; and the characteristics of farmers and their households, including earnings from farming and other sources. This research program provides information on the structure, or organization, of farming in the United States, emphasizing current policy issues. It identifies forces contributing to current farm structure, and investigates the role of large and small farms.
January 1, 2001
[Archived] Floriculture Crops: The Floriculture Crops Briefing Room provided information on production and market characteristics of U.S. floriculture and nursery crops, as well as related website linkages. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in January 2008.
January 14, 2008
Food and Nutrition Assistance Program Linkages with the General Economy: This briefing room discusses linkages between the food stamp program and the general economy, and highlights how changes in macroecnomic conditions affect food assistance program caseloads. ERS research on this topic is highlighted, with links to recommended readings and other briefing rooms covering food and nutrition assistance programs.
January 30, 2003
Food Assistance and Nutrition Program Outcomes: The Food Assistance and Nutrition Program Outcomes Briefing Room highlights ERS research on food assistance and nutrition program outcomes (that is, the effects of the programs on participants). The Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) includes research on USDA’s domestic food assistance programs, including the Food Stamp Program, the child nutrition programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
February 28, 2007
Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs: The Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs Briefing Room provides a central point for obtaining information about the Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP), project descriptions, grants programs, and FANRP-sponsored conferences. USDA’s domestic food assistance programs, administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), increase food security by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition information. The core food assistance programs include the Food Stamp Program, the child nutrition programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
November 25, 2008
Food CPI, Prices, and Expenditures: ERS' research and reporting of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food contributes to an understanding of which food categories experience substantial price changes, how consumers spend their incomes on food, and how and why consumption patterns changes. Food prices are also affected by structural changes in the food production industry, prices farmers receive for their commodities, marketing costs, and consumer demand for food.
August 23, 2006
Food Marketing System in the U.S.: The Food Marketing System Briefing Room provides a central point for obtaining information about recent developments in the U.S. food marketing system. ERS research analyzes economic issues affecting the competitiveness of the U.S. food sector, the changing structure and performance of food markets, and other issues related to the nutrition and health of the U.S. population.
August 24, 2007
Food Safety: The Food Safety Briefing Room provides a central point for obtaining information about economic issues that affect the safety of the U.S. food supply. ERS estimates the human illness costs of foodborne disease to help policymakers identify the magnitude of the societal impact of foodborne disease. ERS also analyzes the effectiveness and equity of alternative policies and programs designed to protect consumers from unsafe food.
August 31, 2007
Food Security in the United States: The Food Security in the United States briefing room provides a central point for obtaining information about current trends in food security and the most recent reports and data related to food security. Recent statistics are based on data from the December 2007 food security survey. Eighty-nine percent (104 million) of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2007, meaning that they had access, at all times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The prevalence of food insecurity (11.1 percent) and very low food security (4.1 percent) of households in 2007 remained essentially unchanged from 2006. ERS plays a leading role in Federal research on food security in U.S. households and communities.
November 17, 2008
Food Stamp Program: This briefing room provides an overview of the Food Stamp Program. ERS research on this topic is highlighted, with links to recommended readings and other briefing rooms covering food and nutrition assistance programs. Updated information highlights Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) research activities and provides State-level maps and data showing funding levels and trends from 1992 through 2005.
January 30, 2003
Fruit and Tree Nuts: The Fruit and Tree Nuts Briefing Room presents economic analyses and data about U.S. fruit and tree nuts, including information on harvested acreage, commercial production, crop value, trade, and per capita use.
April 16, 2008
Global Climate Change: The goal of this briefing room is to showcase research on how global climate change will affect U.S. and regional agriculture, and U.S. agricultural welfare and commodity markets. It addresses agriculture's impacts on and contributions to global climate change, how agriculture might participate in alternative strategies to mitigate climate change, and how proposed international agreements and domestic policies will affect agriculture and the location and character of production.
January 2, 2001
Global Food Markets: The Global Food Markets Briefing Room presents an examination of trends and factors affecting consumers' demand for food in countries around the world and the impact on the ongoing evolution of global food supply chains, which in turn affects global food trade patterns.
April 15, 2008
Global Food Security: The Global Food Security Briefing Room provides information and analysis on the global food security situation, including assessments of the current situation and projections for the next 10 years, as well as factors affecting food security such as movements in global market conditions and changes in internal and external policies.
July 16, 2008
Global Resources and Productivity: The goal of this briefing room is to showcase research on how agriculture influences and is impacted by changes in land, water, climatic, and biological resources, and how international agreements and domestic policies for protecting resources and the environment affect agricultural production and food security.
December 11, 2000
Hogs: The United States is the world's third largest producer and second largest consumer, exporter, and importer of pork and pork products. Pork accounts for about a fourth of domestic meat consumption, with imports accounting for about 5 percent of that. Exports account for about 6 percent of domestic production. ERS analyzes conditions and events relating to the domestic and global pork markets that influence supply, demand, trade, and prices.
April 7, 2008
India: Following liberalizing economic reforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, India is now the world's second fastest growing economy, as well as its second most populous. Faster growth is strengthening and diversifying consumer demand, and India is now among the world's leading importers of vegetable oils and pulses. Despite a rich and extensive agricultural resource base and burgeoning subsidy outlays, farm sector performance has remained sluggish, creating pressure for reform of domestic agricultural policies. ERS research focuses on understanding the trade implications of changes in consumer demand, market structure, domestic and trade policy that are likely to occur as the Indian economy continues its rapid expansion.
March 22, 2005
Invasive Species Management: The Invasive Species Management Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research on national decisionmaking about the management and control of invasive species of agricultural significance or affecting or affected by USDA programs. The Briefing Room provides information about ERS competitive grants for extramural research supporting the Program of Research on the Economics of Invasive Species Management (PREISM).
April 1, 2003
Irrigation and Water Use: The goal of this briefing room is to present material on water allocation, water conservation, and water management issues facing irrigated agriculture. The focus is on irrigated agriculture, but other sectors are examined for their competitive influence on water supplies and impacts of water reallocations among agricultural, environmental, and urban users. It includes consideration of the role of water markets, producer decisions, institutional adjustments (including federal water infrastructure), and water-related policies with respect to resource costs, water quality, profitability, and environmental effects, as well as analysis of the adoption of water conserving technologies.
December 11, 2000
Japan: Japan is a major importer of agricultural products. Japan's mountainous topography limits the total area available for farming, and the farm area is divided into holdings that are too small to produce most foods efficiently in a modern, urban economy. Japan protects key sectors of its agricultural production with tariffs, which have contributed to high food costs in Japan. Despite the protection, Japan imports over $30 billion in agricultural products each year, one-third from the United States, the leading supplier of Japan's agricultural imports. ERS analyzes important aspects of Japan's food and agricultural sectors and the policies that affect Japan's role in world agricultural trade.
August 11, 2008
Land Use, Value, and Management: The goal of this briefing room is to evaluate the implications of land use and land use changes---such as urbanization---on the quality of services provided by land used for agricultural production, rural amenities, and environmental resources, and on the value of land.
December 11, 2000
Macroeconomics and Agriculture: Changes in the macroeconomy have major effects on agriculture. The main factors linking agriculture to the U.S. and global macroeconomy are exchange rates, international trade, foreign and domestic income, rural employment, interest rates, and energy costs. International and domestic macroeconomic shocks can cause major changes in the values of these variables, resulting in changes in a country's agricultural prices, production, consumption, and trade.
May 6, 2008
Measuring Rurality: Rural America comprises 2,305 counties, contains 83 percent of the Nation's land, and is home to 20 percent (55 million) of the U.S. population. The economic and social character of rural places varies greatly across America. The economy of some rural areas still depends on employment in farming and mining, traditional rural extractive industries. Many of these farming communities face declining job opportunities and population loss. Shrinking economies force workers to find new ways of making a living, often in more distant cities. Low density settlement patterns often make it more costly for communities and businesses to provide critical services. In contrast, other rural areas, particularly those rich in natural amenities, have experienced positive economic transformation and rapid population growth. Community leaders in these areas are struggling to provide new roads, schools, and other community services. Frequently, growth transforms the character of the community itself. ERS has developed alternative classifications of rural places that capture the rich diversity of rural America in ways that are meaningful for developing public policies and programs.
January 1, 2001
NAFTA, Canada, and Mexico: The NAFTA, Canada, and Mexico briefing room provides information, analysis, and research results on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its impact on NAFTA's member countries (Canada, Mexico, and the United States), as well as specific information about the agricultural sectors of Canada and Mexico, including production, trade, and policy.
December 2, 2008
Organic Agriculture: As consumer demand gathers momentum, U.S. producers are embracing organic farming as a way to lower input costs, decrease reliance on nonrenewable resources, and capture high-value markets. In 2005, all 50 States in the U.S. had some certified organic farmland. This briefing room presents data on organic shares of production across commodities, information on USDA programs designed to bolster the organic market, and research on the characteristics of organic consumers, handlers, and markets.
August 22, 2007
Potatoes: The Potatoes Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on the U.S. potato market, including links to current and historical data and to various potato-related websites.
May 13, 2008
Poultry and Eggs: The Poultry and Eggs Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. and global poultry and egg markets, including current and historical data on supply, demand, prices, and trade.
February 29, 2008
Rice: The Rice Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. and global rice markets, including current and historical data on supply, demand, and trade.
April 22, 2008
Rural Development Strategies: Rural communities adopt a wide array of development strategies that address their particular needs. The Rural Development Strategies briefing room examines these strategies, and their main components, including infrastructure improvement, business assistance, education and training, amenity-based development, and community development. It also covers rural development funding and related policies of Federal and State governments.
October 23, 2006
Rural Income, Poverty, and Welfare: This briefing room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and data on rural Americans' income, poverty and welfare.
January 2, 2001
[Archived] Rural Industry: The Rural Industry Briefing Room summarized ERS research on how manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries impact the rural economy in the United States. It included recommended readings and links to related sites. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in January 2008.
January 31, 2008
Rural Labor and Education: The Rural Labor and Education Briefing Room provides information and research findings about the well-being of rural workers (including farm laborers), the changing structure of rural labor markets, and trends in rural educational achievement.
January 22, 2007
Rural Population and Migration: The Rural Population and Migration Briefing Room encapsulates ERS research on population trends in rural America, including a recent slowdown in growth, increasing ethnic diversity, the challenges in serving an aging population, and the benefits accruing to those areas featuring natural amenities.
February 2, 2007
Rural Telecommunications: This Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research about communication and information services in rural regions, including telephone and Internet services. This covers the diffusion of these services and their economic role in economic development. This Briefing Room also explores the issues of where communication and information services are now, what is determining how much and where the services are, government telecommunication policy, and the suitability of various technologies in rural regions.
June 19, 2003
[Archived] Russia: The Russia Briefing Room contained information on, and ERS analysis of, Russian agriculture. It included recommended readings and links to related sites. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in October 2007.
October 12, 2007
Sheep and Wool: Sheep are raised for both meat (lamb or mutton) and wool. The U.S. sheep and wool industries have seen significant change since the mid-1970s, marked by smaller inventories, declining production, shrinking revenues, and fewer operations. ERS economists, in cooperation with other USDA agencies, provide market analysis and research on the U.S. sheep industry, focusing on domestic supply, demand, and trade.
November 25, 2008
South Korea: South Korea's (Republic of Korea's) export-oriented economy supports a relatively affluent society. Rugged mountains cover much of the country, leaving a relatively small arable land area for food production. Rice dominates crop production and has long been the staple food. Production of vegetables, fruit, and livestock grew over the last three decades, but Korea has turned increasingly to food imports to satisfy consumers' demands for greater food variety, lower prices, and convenience. South Korea is among the top ten markets for U.S. agricultural exports. ERS analyzes important aspects of Korea's food and agricultural situation, its agricultural trade, and issues affecting U.S. agricultural trade.
August 11, 2008
Soybeans and Oil Crops: The Soybeans and Oil Crops Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. and global markets for soybean and soybean products, including current and historical data on supply, demand, and trade. Information on other oilseeds, such as cottonseed, sunflowerseed, and peanuts, is also available.
December 10, 2008
Sugar and Sweeteners: The Sugar and Sweeteners Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on the U.S. sugar and sweeteners market, including current and historical data on supply, demand, trade, and prices and information on sugar policy, trade, and the industry.
March 20, 2008
[Archived] Tobacco: The Tobacco Briefing Room offered a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. and world tobacco and tobacco-product markets. It included current and historical data on supply, demand, trade, and prices; information on U.S. policy and the U.S. industry; and recommended readings. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in January 2008.
January 9, 2008
[Archived] Tomatoes: The Tomato Briefing Room offered a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. fresh and processing tomato markets. It included current and historical data on supply, demand, trade, and prices; recommended readings; and links to related websites. This file provides information on the contents of the Briefing Room when it was archived in April 2008.
April 28, 2008
U.S. Agricultural Trade: Changes in world population, economic growth, and income greatly influence growth and stability of global markets for agricultural products. U.S. farmers rely heavily on export markets to sustain revenues, while imports provide U.S. consumers expanded food variety and stable year-round supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables.
April 30, 2008
Vegetables and Melons: The United States trails only China and India in world production of vegetables and melons. During 2000-07, U.S. farm cash receipts from the sale of vegetables and melons (including mushrooms) averaged $17.5 billion, 16 percent of U.S. crop cash receipts. Annual per capita use of all vegetables and melons averaged 443 pounds (fresh-weight basis) during the same period, a 3-percent increase over a decade earlier.
October 30, 2008
Wheat: The Wheat Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on U.S. and global wheat markets, including basic information on the U.S. wheat sector, trade issues, and domestic policy, as well as a detailed explanation of how wheat supply and use is calculated.
September 22, 2008
WIC Program: The WIC Program Briefing Room provides a central point for obtaining information about research, publications, and data related to WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). As the third largest USDA domestic food and nutrition assistance program, WIC serves over 8 million participants per month and costs exceeded $5 billion in fiscal 2006.
May 18, 2007
WTO: The Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture marked a turning point in the history of the multilateral trading system by subjecting agricultural trade to essentially the same rules that discipline trade in industrial goods. For the first time, World Trade Organization (WTO) members committed to reducing agricultural tariffs, export subsidies, and trade-distorting domestic support.
December 12, 2008

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