37 women are heading to Hormel for work after the company settled a hiring dispute with the Department of Labor.
Combs a Surprise Potential Ag Secretary Nominee
The search for an Agriculture Secretary has turned its attention to Susan Combs. She’s a former Commissioner of Agriculture and state comptroller of Texas. Combs met with Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Tuesday, which may have been due to the endorsement of House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway of Texas.
USDA to Measure Financial Well-Being of Dairy Farms
Beginning in January, representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will visit dairy farms across the nation, as the agency begins collecting data for the final phase of the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).
New Test Quickly Detects Red Imported Fire Ants
By Sandra Avant, USDA Agriculture Research Service A new test kit, developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists, could limit the spread of red imported fire ants. Since the red imported fire ant invaded the United States more than 85 years ago, it has infested 367 million acres. Each year, imported fire ants cost Americans $6 billion to control …
New Cost Share Opportunities for Organic Producers and Handlers
Organic Producers and Handlers May Apply for Certification Cost Share Reimbursements; Expanded Eligibility for Transition and State Certification Cost The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that starting March 20, 2017, organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving …
USDA Invests in Innovative Conservation Partnerships
Addition of 88 projects brings federal, partner investment to over $2 billion since 2014 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 88 high-impact projects across the country will receive $225 million in federal funding as part of the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Women in Agricultural Academics
UF/IFAS study: Women earn nearly half the doctorates in ag sciences, but not gaining stature Despite earning 44 percent of the doctorates in agricultural sciences, women hold just 23 percent of the tenure-track faculty positions at U.S. land-grant institutions, according to a new study led by a research team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Georgia Grower Wins Corn Yield Contest
Georgia farmer Randy Dowdy (dow-dee) took top honors in this year’s National Corn Growers Association 2016 Corn Yield Contest. Dowdy told Brownfield, “It’s not every day you get to announce you have 500-bushel corn.”
Avian Influenza Problems Continue in Asia and UK
A Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak is taking a toll on wild and domestic poultry flocks in Asia while another outbreak is just beginning in the United Kingdom. The outbreak has left authorities in Asian and European nations scrambling to deal with the disease and prevent further trouble.
Public Comment Period on GIPSA is Open
The comment period on proposed Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration rules is now open and runs for 60 days. The aim of the proposed rules is to protect poultry and livestock producers.