Equipment Review

USDA Launches MARS, Delivering Market Data to Agricultural Producers Around the Globe Faster and Easier

Release No.: 019-18

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the launch of a new electronic data platform to deliver market price information to the commodities industry. The new web-based platform, Market Analysis and Reporting Services (MARS), uses state-of-the-art technology to present detailed data sets in a more customer-focused way to better support competitive markets for producers and help stabilize food prices for American families.

USDA Market News data is moving to the new platform: Market Analysis & Reporting Services or MARS

Please join us as we explore the many new tools MARS has to offer to meet your data needs.  USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a webinar to show you some of the great features and tools provided through MARS.  Data users can create unique reports, data sets, output, and visualizations.  MARS uses state-of-the-art technology to better serve customers by creating one easy-to-use tool for users to explore timely, accurate, and unbiased data.

Preparing for Equipment Review

As for the USDA Dairy Grading Branch giving a total or exact cost for an equipment review is not possible due to federal regulation. We have maximum lodging and M&IE allowances that can change from month to month. These rates are set by the State Department so there in no way for us to predict a change. If the trip is for domestic travel a minimum of 30 days advance notice is required before the requested inspection date. If a trip is to a foreign country 49 days advanced notice is required before the requested date of the inspection.

Equipment Review

AMS offers two voluntary, fee-based equipment review and certification programs to the food processing industry: the Dairy Equipment Review Program and the Meat and Poultry Equipment Review Program. AMS specialists base equipment reviews on an examination of engineering drawings and of actual processing equipment, required for the final review, often with the participation of design engineers.

Services

AMS quality standards, grading, certification, auditing, and inspection are voluntary tools and services that industry can use to help promote and communicate quality and wholesomeness to consumers. These services assist businesses in differentiating themselves from their competition.