USDA has released a new mobile app for accessing market news, called USDA Market News, which will provide interested parties with instant access to current and historical market information. The initial version of the free app includes nearly 800 livestock, poultry and grain market reports. USDA plans to add additional commodities throughout the coming year.
“USDA is focused on building more resilient and transparent markets and is taking steps to promote competition and fairer prices from farmers to consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This new Market News app helps create a more level playing field for small and medium producers by delivering critical market information to them where they are, when they need it.”
Producers can search for markets based on location or commodity. They can add market reports to their favorites for easy access, share reports via text or email, subscribe to reports and receive real-time notifications when a report is published, according to USDA. There are also built-in tutorials to help first-time users.
“One of the best features of the app is its simplicity,” Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt said. “The USDA Market News app was designed with small producers in mind.”
The app is available on both the Apple and Google Play stores and can be found by searching for USDA Market News. — Anna Miller,WLJ managing editor
