Product of USA Label Final Rule and Drought Impact on U.S. Cattle Herd

**Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the finalization of a rule to align the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim.

USDA’s rule allows the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim to be used on meat, poultry and egg products ONLY when they’re derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S..

The rule will prohibit misleading labeling and help ensure the information consumers receive about where their food

comes from is truthful.

**GasBuddy reports the nation’s average gas price increased 6.2 cents from last week ago to $3.40 per gallon.

The national average is up 23.0 cents from a month ago and 4.5 cents lower than a year ago.

The national average diesel price fell 1.3 cents to $4.02 per gallon, 30 cents lower than a year ago.

**New data from USDA Economic Research Service shows that changes in drought conditions impact the size of the U.S. beef cattle herd.

Specifically, when the percentage of land area of drought increases for an extended period as noted in the U.S. Drought Monitor, the U.S. beef cattle herd often declines.

In 2023, with more than 65% of U.S. land area in drought,

the U.S. beef cattle herd declined roughly 2.5%.