What is on the horizon for U.S. farmers in 2017 as they finalize plans for planting this spring? The March Agricultural Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey approximately 84,000 of the nation’s farmers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.
Cotton Council International Elects 2017 Officers
Eduardo L. (Eddy) Esteve, a merchant from Dallas, Texas, will serve as president of Cotton Council International (CCI) for 2017. He and other CCI officers were elected at CCI’s board meeting during the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 2017 Annual Meeting held February 10-12 in Dallas, Texas. CCI is the NCC’s export promotion arm and carries out programs in more than …
Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to the National Poultry Improvement Plan Program Standards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites the public to review and comment on proposed changes to the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Program Standards. The proposed updates would amend the Program Standards by establishing new biosecurity principles and updating some testing procedures.
New ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs Issued
By Kim Kaplan, Agricultural Research Service Research showing a higher dose of vitamin D may benefit pregnant women by reducing inflammation is among the new nutrition and health findings in the latest issue of the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Food and Nutrition Research Briefs.
USDA Seeks Local Food Grant Reviewers
Applications for Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced it is seeking reviewers to evaluate grant applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) and the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). Local food grants strengthen America’s rural communities by supporting direct …
UF/IFAS Researchers: Many Turning to Oysters for Valentine’s Day Energy
by: Beverly James, UF/IFAS, beverlymjames@ufl.edu With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you might be thinking about revving things up by eating a few oysters. We’ve all heard that oysters are aphrodisiacs, but researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences say there’s more to the story which cab make sex more passionate. If you wish to …
Dairy, Ag Groups Urge President Trump to Raise New Canadian Milk Pricing Scheme Issue in Meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau
The U.S. dairy sector is urging President Donald Trump to discuss Canada’s protectionist milk pricing policy during Monday’s meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Cargill Plans to Expand and Upgrade Canada Beef Processing Plant
Cargill plans to spend $2.7 million to expand and upgrade an Ontario, Canada processing facility that handles 1,500 head of cattle per day.
FMD Concerns Growing in South Korea
South Korea last week raised the nation’s foot-and-mouth disease alert status to its highest level, as a second strain of the disease was confirmed at a dairy farm.
Growth Energy Honors Ag Secretary Vilsack with Award
Growth Energy last week awarded former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack with the organization’s highest honor, the America’s Fuel Award.