USDA reinstating several reports targeted for elimination in cost-cutting move after farmers complain, agency saves money through operation improvements

Andrew Rogers

WASHINGTON , December 27, 2011 (Associated Press) – The Agriculture Department is reinstating several reports that it had targeted for elimination two months ago in a cost-cutting move.

The department says that it will reinstate reports for industries such as catfish and trout, hops, fruits and vegetables, and bees and honey.

In October, the USDA had said that eliminating or reducing the frequency of 14 crop and livestock reports would save about $10 million.

But some farmers complained that without the reports, they would be left guessing how much to produce and when to sell.

The reports influence the price and supply of many products that people wind up consuming.

The USDA said this month that several improvements to its operations have allowed the department to find money to reinstate several key reports.

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