USDA search engine answers farmer's questions

Farmers with questions can use a new online service from the USDA.
Farmers with questions can use a new online service from the USDA.
Operators of farm equipment may run across many questions that need answering as they work the fields or watch the price of crops, and now they may have a way to get them answered quickly.

Through the new Ask the Expert search engine from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers will be able to seek out solutions to their problems 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Different departments within the USDA will have their information featured through the feature.

"This exciting new tool is one of the many ways that USDA is working hard to use technology to provide the public with high quality service while using taxpayer dollars as efficiently as possible," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

The self-service tool from the department stores frequently asked questions. So far, more than 1,475 questions have been answered in two weeks, and the service rate is just above 90 percent.

However, not every farmer has easy access to the internet, and still has questions they may want answered. One option they may consider is the local office of the Farm Services Agency.ADNFCR-2034-ID-19883267-ADNFCR