Key Takeaways
- Over 42,000 USDA employees are set to be furloughed due to a government shutdown.
- Critical services like meat inspections will continue, but many agricultural programs will be suspended.
- Lawmakers remain deadlocked over fiscal 2026 funding, affecting a wide range of federal operations.
USDA Shutdown Plan Details
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a shutdown plan in response to a funding impasse for fiscal year 2026, which begins Wednesday. Nearly half of the department’s workforce, translating to more than 42,000 employees, is expected to be furloughed. According to the plan, 43,651 employees will remain active, with 30,955 considered essential for life and property protection, and another 11,493 continuing work funded outside annual appropriations.
The Office of Management and Budget instructed all federal departments to initiate their respective shutdown plans Tuesday evening, officially commencing shutdown operations at midnight. Affected departments will see a halt in key activities, especially in agencies such as Risk Management, Conservation Services, and Food and Nutrition.
“The majority of functions within these agencies, including payment processing and regulatory work, will be stopped,” the USDA stated. Notably, the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, scheduled for release on October 9, will be suspended. The plan also highlights concerns that some states may run out of funds for meat and poultry inspections due to the shutdown.
Despite extensive furloughs, certain essential operations will remain unaffected, including farm loan processing and emergency programs for animal health. Leadership at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will still be on call to ensure essential operations, particularly in response to natural disasters.
An estimated 6,377 of the FSA’s 9,468 employees will face furloughs. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will see 8,849 of its 9,237 employees furloughed, although some staff will continue work funded by prior appropriations.
In a stark contrast, only 533 employees from the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which oversees meat and poultry processing, are slated to be furloughed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will continue to manage pesticide registrations using fee revenue, exempting them from annual appropriations processes.
President Trump has indicated that he may pursue mass layoffs of furloughed employees, asserting that such actions could create irreversible repercussions for Democrats. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed during the shutdown, impacting the economy significantly as they collectively earn around $400 million per day.
Democratic leaders express frustration over the shutdown, with House Agriculture Committee member Angie Craig accusing Republicans of obstructing negotiations, including crucial health insurance subsidy extensions. “Ongoing failures have resulted in higher costs of living, worsening healthcare, and increased hunger. It’s time for Republican leaders to confront the administration’s harmful policies,” she stated in response to the crisis.
With the shutdown underway, the situation continues to evolve, sending ripples through various sectors dependent on USDA operations. As more details emerge, the implications for farmers, agricultural services, and federal employees will become clearer.
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