Florida agriculture industry volunteers are encouraged to take part in the seventh annual Agriculture Literacy Day, to be held Tuesday March 23, 2010. More information and online registration is available on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s website.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is reminding confined livestock operations in 6 counties about an opportunity to receive financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for an Agricultural Energy Management Plan.
While talking to the Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee this week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explained USDA’s new Animal ID plan and also discussed their proposals for conservation funding in the next fiscal year.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey predicts cooler than normal weather for much of the country, and wet conditions in the South during the period from March 9 to 15.
A recent survey of beef and dairy producers across the nation has found producer approval of the beef checkoff has increased from 68 percent in 2009 to 69 percent in 2010.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack believes some form of an animal disease traceability system must be in place and that’s why their new approach is to build a system starting with on the state and tribal levels to hopefully obtain greater participation among those in the livestock industry.
Would you like to donate an item to be auctioned off? Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff gives us information about this event and go to http://florida4h.org/foundation/auction.shtml for all of the details.
New technology must be developed because population growth is not slowing down. Everett Griner explains to us how many people will have to be fed in the near future.
Considering the present state budget situation it is important that industry supporters come together to support youth programs like 4-H. Among the many ways to do so, a quality item donation for the upcoming 13th annual Florida 4-H Reception and Auction. This year a silent auction will be held in conjunction with the popular annual Florida Farm Bureau Legislative Reception March 16th in Tallahassee at the Civic Center. There are quality items in this auction, and 4-H needs more of them to include. Find the details on how to donate, and how to attend, visit http://florida4h.org/foundation/auction.shtml
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson (w/ hat in photos) hosted numerous media outlets and about a hundred guests Tuesday at a bioenergy test project in Ocala. This process helps manage animal wastes while also producing energy and agricultural by-products. Sigarca, Inc.’s experiemental Bioenergy Plant is set up at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, FL, where it processes horse manure into renewable energy, organic soil and bio-fertilizers. Read the rest of this entry »
The Obama Administration is rethinking channels for older animals such as dairy cows used for ground beef when it comes to their approach to meat inspections.
Details of the final regulation regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations have been issued, as Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the final rule gives consumers confidence there is a consistent pasture standards applicable to all dairy products.
HumaneWatch.org Scrutinizes Biggest American Animal Rights Group, Separates Fact from Fiction
Washington, D.C. (News Release, Center for Consumer Freedom, 2/16/10) – Today the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is announcing the launch of HumaneWatch.org, a watchdog project dedicated to analyzing the activities of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). HumaneWatch will include a blog written by CCF’s Director of Research, a growing document library, and a database capable of tracking the dozens of nonprofit (and for-profit) organizations that make up HSUS’s sprawling financial empire. Read the rest of this entry »
USDA is changing their direction and approach when it comes creating a system for animal identification and disease trace-back, as their Chief Veterinarian, Dr. John Clifford, says the new approach being taken will address a number of concerns.
After receiving thousands of comments, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it’s apparent that a new strategy for animal disease traceability is needed, and thus he’s decided to revise the prior policy and offer a new approach to animal disease traceability.
More information on USDA’s new direction on animal traceability and the steps to improve disease prevention and control is available at www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability
Florida agriculture industry volunteers are encouraged to take part in the seventh annual Agriculture Literacy Day, to be held Tuesday March 23, 2010. More information and online registration is available on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s website. 
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is reminding confined livestock operations in 6 counties about an opportunity to receive financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for an Agricultural Energy Management Plan. 
A recent survey of beef and dairy producers across the nation has found producer approval of the beef checkoff has increased from 68 percent in 2009 to 69 percent in 2010.
In celebration of Food Checkout Week, the following four reports focus on the theme of Stretching Your Grocery Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson (w/ hat in photos) hosted numerous media 
outlets and about a hundred guests Tuesday at a bioenergy test project in Ocala. This process helps manage animal wastes while also producing energy and agricultural by-products. Sigarca, Inc.’s experiemental Bioenergy Plant is set up at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, FL, where it processes horse manure into renewable energy, organic soil and bio-fertilizers. 
Details of the final regulation regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations have been issued, as Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the final rule gives consumers confidence there is a consistent pasture standards applicable to all dairy products. 
USDA is changing their direction and approach when it comes creating a system for animal identification and disease trace-back, as their Chief Veterinarian, Dr. John Clifford, says the new approach being taken will address a number of concerns.
