The United States Department of Agriculture confirmed that it will halt all new data and reports during the ongoing government shutdown. “All reports and data releases will cease,” a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal, adding that Democrats were to blame for the budget impasse. According to the agency’s contingency plan, most USDA employees will be furloughed, with limited exceptions. The shutdown disrupts the release of key publications, including the weekly export sales report due Thursday and the October WASDE report scheduled for next week.