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In the 160 years    since its creation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has touched the lives of millions    of people--both in the United States and abroad. During its early years, USDA was    concerned primarily with agricultural production. However, by the early 1900's the    Department became increasingly involved in the marketing of farm products. About that    time, what is now the Livestock and Seed Program came into existence as the Livestock,    Meats, and Wool Program, a part of the Bureau of Markets. In 1922, the Bureau of Markets    was combined with another bureau to form the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. In 1939,    this bureau was incorporated into the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). 

Even though the organizational structure of the Program's    parent agency has changed over the years, the Program's primary objective has remained    virtually constant: to provide timely, high-quality, and unbiased service to facilitate    the orderly marketing and distribution of agricultural commodities while simultaneously    fostering goodwill in the global marketplace. This service is maintained through the    Program's continual commitment to improve its operating procedures to meet customer needs    and to incorporate new research findings and technological advancements. 

Like many of its sister programs in AMS, the Livestock and    Seed Program provides services that are funded primarily by user fees. Approximately 80    percent of the Program's funds are derived from payments made by users of Program    services. Only the remaining 20 percent is appropriated by Congress. 

**Scope**

Although the Livestock and Seed Program is headquartered in    Washington, DC, it maintains offices throughout the United States to serve the    agricultural community and industry. The Program seeks to establish and maintain effective    working relationships with consumers, producers, trade organizations, industry groups, and    other Government agencies. 

Three major functions performed by the LS Program are (1) the    meat grading and certification service; (2) the livestock, meat, and grain market news    service; and (3) seed regulatory and testing activities. The Program also performs related    services, such as purchasing meat and fish for Federal feeding programs, overseeing    research and promotion programs, and developing standards and purchase specifications for    livestock and meat products. 

We are eager to hear what our customers have to say about our    services and their suggestions for change. Our willingness to modify our programs as    needed to meet requirements both today and in the future is one of our key missions. 

Livestock and Seed Program Home Page

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