USDA Issues Course Corrections

“You’re (re)hired!” 

What is going on?!

ICYMI, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), aka bird flu, has led to the culling of millions of egg-laying hens. Egg prices are sky-high as a result. 

By the numbers: 160M birds have been culled since the onslaught of the virus in 2022, and on average, a dozen eggs cost $4.95—perhaps even higher at a store near you.

And many of the USDA staff working with HPAI who were fired are now being rehired. (As a quick recap, thousands of federal workers received termination letters at the recommendation of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. This included many at USDA.) 

Soundbite: “While President Trump is fulfilling his promise to shed light on waste, fraud, and abuse in government, DOGE needs to measure twice and cut once. Downsizing decisions must be narrowly tailored to preserve critical missions.” — Don Bacon, U.S. Representative (R-NE)

Marked safe: Those exempt from terminations included veterinarians, animal health technicians, and other response personnel assisting with HPAI support.

Rehiring funding, too: On the conservation front, the USDA announced it would release $20M in funding for contracts that had previously been frozen by the Trump administration. These contracts were categorized under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

The freeze had direct implications for farmers with projects in the works and contracts signed with NRCS. The meat industry also felt the pinch when federal funding was cut through the Local Meat Capacity program.

Where does all of this go? Secretary Rollins met with 24 farmers on February 20 to discuss bird flu, disaster relief, expanding markets, reducing input costs, and ways to decrease regulations. She said the new administration will create a “new era of prosperity for American farmers,” but it will take time.