OTA Wants Voluntary Checkoff Program

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced a plan to move the industry toward a voluntary industry-invested organic research, promotion, and education checkoff program. It will be put together and in place by stakeholders across the organic supply chain. Laura Batcha is CEO of the Organic Trade Association. She says the group recognizes the industry’s demand for coordinated organic research and …

Swine Fever Spreads; FAO Calls Emergency Meeting

China reported another four cases of African Swine Fever. The trade website Meating Place Dot Com says that brings the total number of cases to 13 since the virus was first found in the country last month. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization called a three-day emergency meeting of experts to propose responses to halt the spread of the …

Kansas Cattle Traceability Project Moving Forward

The Kansas-based Cattle Trace pilot project is on track to begin testing a purpose-built infrastructure for cattle disease traceability by this fall. Traceability is a top priority for the cattle industry. The Cattle Trace pilot project will help kickstart discussions and development on an enhanced traceability program in Kansas and around the country. Last month, CattleTrace, Inc., was established as …

Agri View: Overhauling Livestock Hauling

Everett Griner talks about laws changing for the over-the-road livestock hauler in today’s Agri View. Overhauling Livestock Hauling It will be very difficult to produce livestock without trucks to haul it. Not many people, besides the truckers themselves and the farmers, realize the tough laws that truckers have to live with. They cannot move a load more than 11 hours …

Scott Water Comments Refuel Political Fighting

South Florida’s water troubles continued to be a hot political issue Friday after Gov. Rick Scott said the U.S. Senate is backing the state’s plan to build a reservoir in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The announcement came on the same day two Democratic Cabinet candidates — Nikki Fried, who is running for agriculture commissioner, and Jeremy Ring, who is running …

Florida Successfully Combating Destructive, Disease-Carrying Giant African Land Snail

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that more than 168,000 giant African land snails (GALS) have been eliminated in Florida since the invasive snail was discovered in Miami-Dade County in 2011. In addition to threatening more than 500 varieties of plants and agricultural commodities, GALS consume plaster and stucco to get the calcium needed to grow their shells. The …

Important to Harvest Cotton at the Right Time

During this week’s University of Georgia Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day in Tifton, sponsored in part by the Georgia Cotton Commission, growers were able to learn more about various cotton research efforts. Tyron Spearman was there and has this report. Important to Harvest Cotton at the Right Time Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps …

Key Priorities for Cotton Industry in Farm Bill

The farm bill conference committee began formal meetings this week with just a handful of legislative days left to complete and pass a new bill before the current one expires at the end of the month. Before the formal meetings started, the National Cotton Council and 66 other cotton and related industry organizations sent a letter to Senate and House …