Veterinarians will visit Capitol Hill next Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities with lawmakers. As part of the American Veterinary Medical Association‘s (AMVA) annual legislative fly-in, advocates will urge congressional offices to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson says, “We need to do more to attract and retain veterinarians in rural and underserved areas, …
Southern Pasture Conditions Have Been Very Dry
Much needed precipitation has fallen in some areas of the Southeast this week. But as USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes, many of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic states have been experiencing very dry pasture conditions.
Nominations Open for Animal Agriculture Water Quality Committee
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register Notice on November 16 establishing the Animal Agriculture Water Quality Subcommittee. It’s under the umbrella of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee. Nominations are open for members who want to serve on the subcommittee. The primary subcommittee goal will be to develop recommendations that will inform the Agency’s …
Improvements in U.S. Pasture and Rangeland Conditions
Both ends of the nation’s pasture and rangeland condition ratings reveal year over year improvements within the final condition report for 2023. Rod Bain has the story. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at states with notable good to excellent pasture and rangeland conditions for the period ending this past week. Rippey also discusses regions of the country where there are …
New Animal Disease Early Detection Partnership
There’s a new partnership for early detection of animal diseases. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It’s a new partnership among the nation’s animal health and biodefense facilities to improve early detection of emerging animal diseases. This is Christy Loiacano, coordinator of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service …
Efforts Being Made to Address Rural Veterinary Shortages
Lawmakers have reintroduced the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, formerly known as the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. Introduced in both the House and Senate, the legislation would expand its reach. The Program helps increase access to food animal veterinary services in rural areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt. The legislation would end the federal …
APHIS Finalizes Changes to Import Regulations for Horses
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is finalizing amendments to its import regulations for horses. These amendments will better align our regulations with international standards and allow more flexibility for permitted imports, while continuing to mitigate the risk of bringing equine diseases into the United States. The regulations also provide APHIS with …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In this week’s “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Commissioner, I understand you’d like to share with us information about a big event that took place this past weekend. For more information about the Alabama Open Horseman Association annual state championship horse show, click here. That’s our weekly Around the State with Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner, …
Livestock Shelter Open in Alabama in Preparation for Hurricane Idalia
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/August 29, 2023) — In preparation for Hurricane Idalia, entry requirements have been lifted for livestock animals that are moving across state lines. The following temporary sheltering facility has agreed to provide a place for evacuees with livestock including horses and cattle to stay. Pike County Cattlemen’s Association – Cattleman Park4100 US HWY 231 STroy, AL 36081 Building Number: 334-566-0892 …
Commissioner Pate Advises Horse Owners to Vaccinate for EEE & West Nile Virus
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/August 23, 2023) — Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate has announced that a horse has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the ADAI’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Auburn. The positive result originated from a horse in Baldwin County. EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is more severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality …