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.
USDA Releases Local Food Marketing Survey Results
The National Ag Statistics Service released the results of its first-ever Local Food Marketing Practices Survey this week. Over 167,000 U.S. farms locally produced and sold food through direct marketing practices.
Panera Makes Animal Welfare Pledge for Broilers
Panera announced it will be adopting practices outlined in the Global Animal Partnership’s Broiler Chicken Standard. A CNBC Dot Com article says the non-profit organization created a five-step program it says promotes effective animal livestock care. The Standard requires no cages or crowding crates be used on animal farms. It also requires outdoor access for animals, as well as pasture …
CA Dairy Farmers Navigating Methane Reduction Bill
Dairy farmers in California now have more to consider in running their day-to-day operations. An article on Milk Business Dot Com says farmers face water issues, regulatory burdens, and the nation’s highest minimum wage.
Tighter Requirements Sought for Environmental Panel
From: The News Service of Florida After a controversy this year about new water-quality standards, a Democratic senator Tuesday filed a proposal that would tighten requirements for the state Environmental Regulation Commission.
Protecting Natural Resources Through Joint Chiefs’ Partnership
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new investment of $32 million to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public forests and grasslands connect to privately-owned lands. Through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership, USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U.S. Forest Service will invest the new funds in fiscal year 2017 to add ten …
Final Rule to Allow Lemons from Northwest Argentina into the Continental United States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is publishing a final rule to allow the importation of fresh lemon fruit from northwest Argentina into the continental United States. Over the last 10 years, APHIS has thoroughly reviewed Argentina’s citrus production and packing practices and fully evaluated pest risks to U.S. agriculture. The review included …
Peanut Leadership Academy Class X
Twenty-three peanut growers and sheller representatives from across the Southeast, Texas and Virginia-Carolina area began Class X of the Peanut Leadership Academy Dec. 12-14, 2016, in Miramar Beach, Florida. The Peanut Leadership Academy is hosted by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and is a cooperative effort between Syngenta Crop Protection, the American Peanut Shellers Association and grower organizations. The program …
CSP Sign-Up Continues in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama encourages landowners to sign up for funding through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Alabama state conservationist Ben Malone says NRCS has made several updates to the program this year to help producers better evaluate their conservation options and the benefits to their operations and natural resources.
Sign Up Now for Wetland Reserve Easements in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida wants to remind agricultural landowners and Indian tribes that applications are being accepted for a Wetland Reserve Easement until January 13 for fiscal year 2017 funding.