USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service dropped key reports last month, including the July Cattle Report and the county grain and livestock estimates. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack blames Congressional budget delays for the decision. “October 1 comes and no budget, it’s a continuing resolution,” said Vilsack. “Now if they would have attached the same budget on October 1, we would have had the entire year to make adjustments, but when you basically have a budget that is flatlined where you have to absorb pay increases and Congress takes more authority away from you and you only have seven months to absorb the cut, it’s really hard.” Vilsack said the NASS budget was cut. “So you don’t have much option.”
