The US Agricultural Service Market has reopened the comment period on the proposed rule to increase the assessment rate for California almonds under Marketing Order N. 981.The proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Almond Board of California to increase the assessment rate established for the 2016-17 through the 2018-19 crop years from $0.03 to $0.04 per pound of almonds. Of the $0.04 per pound assessment, 60% (or $0.024 per pound) would be available as credit-back for handlers who conduct their own promotional activities.The final date for comments is October 12, 2016.Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 176. Monday, September 12, 2016. Page 62668.