AGRICULTURE

USDA Announces Office Closing Plans: The Department of Agriculture released a preliminary plan for closing more than 1,200 field offices nationwide in a streamlining and cost-cutting move. Agriculture Secretary Edward R. Madigan told a news conference that he will have a final version ready next week and start action before leaving office Jan. 20. But it could be three years before the plan is fully in effect and eight years until savings are realized, a department budget official said. The General Accounting Office has said consolidating the most inefficient offices alone could save $90 million a year from the department’s $62-billion budget.