Ricketts Leads Call for USDA to Categorize AMS Market News as Essential in Any Government Shutdowns

September 28, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a group of five Republican Senators calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to categorize the Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service Market News Department as essential during any future government shutdowns.

In addition to Ricketts, the letter was signed by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry John Boozman (R-AR), and Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Roger Marshall (R-KS).

AMS Market News provides accurate, timely, and reliable market information to all contributors to the agricultural supply chain including producers, processors, distributors, and retailers. The essential data also helps our agricultural exporters navigate international markets and remain competitive globally.

“Due to these critical impacts, we request you officially designate the AMS Market News Department as an essential service within the USDA,” the senators wrote. “This designation would ensure its continued operation during any future government shutdowns, guaranteeing that farmers, ranchers, and the broader agricultural community can access the market information they need to make informed decisions and sustain our nation’s agricultural industry.”

PDF linked here

Full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

We write to respectfully request that you deem the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) USDA Market News Department as essential within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) during any future government shutdowns. As you are aware, the AMS Market News Department plays a pivotal role in the agricultural sector, and its continued operation is crucial for the welfare of agriculture producers nationwide.

The USDA Market News Department has a long-standing history of providing accurate, timely, and reliable market information to all contributors to the agricultural supply chain. This information is indispensable for educated decision-making in the agricultural sector. Producers rely on this data to gauge market trends, determine pricing strategies, and make critical financial decisions. Additionally, agribusinesses, processors, distributors, and retailers depend on this information to optimize their operations and ensure the efficient flow of agricultural products to consumers.

The department’s role extends beyond the domestic market, as it contributes to the competitiveness of American agricultural products in the global marketplace. AMS Market News provides essential data that helps our agricultural exporters navigate international markets and remain competitive globally.

Due to these critical impacts, we request you officially designate the AMS Market News Department as an essential service within the USDA. This designation would ensure its continued operation during any future government shutdowns, guaranteeing that farmers, ranchers, and the broader agricultural community can access the market information they need to make informed decisions and sustain our nation’s agricultural industry.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and your dedication to the well-being of our agricultural industry. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response and hope you will support this vital initiative.

Sincerely,

Pete Ricketts

John Boozman

Joni Ernst

Deb Fischer

Chuck Grassley

Roger Marshall