Immigration, a five-year farm bill, coexistence plans, agency budgets and programs for beginning farmers top the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) list of items to address in 2014.
Although more than $900 million in saving have been generated from various “efficiencies,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is concerned with the agency’s ability to fund many of the programs offered in previous years, according to Farm Progress.
He expects American exports to thrive in 2014, along with a continued focus to expand Chinese markets to beef.
“I think we are looking at a very strong export opportunity. I think there is great demand around the world for American livestock—beef, pork and poultry,” Vilsack said.
Intended to create balance in American agriculture, the USDA also will resume efforts on its coexistence plans to foster harmony among organic, conventional and non-genetically modified production systems.