The United States Department of Agriculture has announced that it will suspend the release of all new data and reports amid the current government shutdown. A spokesperson informed the Wall Street Journal of this decision, attributing the budget stalemate to the Democrats. As outlined in the agency's contingency plan, the majority of USDA employees will be placed on furlough, with only a few exceptions. Consequently, the shutdown will delay important publications, including the weekly export sales report that was set for release on Thursday, and the October WASDE report planned for the following week.