The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announced Tuesday that after reviewing 944 public comments on a July 2020 notice that proposed to approve Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as the official ear tag for use in the interstate movement of cattle, RFID for efficient tracking, they have decided to use the rulemaking process for future activities related to this …
Cattle Feedlot Inventory Little Changed in Last Three Months
The March Cattle on Feed Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head was 12.0 million head on March 1, 2021, 2 percent above March 1, 2020. This is the second-highest March 1 inventory since the series …
OJ Could Address Fruit Shortfall in Adult Diets
While whole fruit consumption increased in adults between 2003 and 2016, the intake of several key nutrients decreased over time, a new study shows. Adding 100% orange juice (OJ) to the diet could help address this shortfall and bolster the intake of other key nutrients found in OJ. A cross-sectional analysis using the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination …
Best Dual-Purpose Breeds to Considering if Raising Sheep
One of the best dual-purpose breeds if you are considering raising sheep. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to understanding which breed is best for raising sheep, some say the Merino breed is the ideal option for small farms, while others are adamant that nothing will do but the Icelandic. If you’re thinking of raising …
Agriculture Must Be Prioritized for COVID-19 Vaccine
The American Farm Bureau Federation urges the Biden administration to make agriculture a priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sent a letter calling for the elimination of barriers to vaccine access for the country’s farmers and farm workers. “We fully appreciate and support that our nation’s heroic first responders, medical professionals, the elderly and caretakers, along with …
Funding Awarded to Help Small and Mid-Sized Farms on National Ag Day
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated National Ag Day by investing $11.5 million in research to help ensure America’s small and medium-sized farming operations remain viable and improve the quality of life in American farm communities. “Few groups are as resilient and as determined as American farm families,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is …
Department of Labor Targeting Southeast Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is engaged in an education and enforcement initiative to increase compliance with federal labor laws in the Southeast’s agricultural industry. In addition to enforcement activity, the initiative provides compliance assistance to employers and educates workers and other stakeholders. The division is working with industry stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, …
EU Suspending Tariffs on Peanuts
In a sign of easing trade tensions, the U.S. and European Union agreed late last week to suspend tariffs on a variety of products, including peanuts. While for now, it’s only a temporary removal of the tariffs, Tyron Spearman reports it’s still good news for the U.S. peanut industry. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future …
Excellent Support for 2021 SLE Rodeo
The Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) Rodeo saw excellent support for its 2021 event which took place this past weekend at the Garret Coliseum in Montgomery. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President, Erin Beasley, says it was an outstanding rodeo and a world-class event. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Florida Timber Owner Pleased with CSP
Florida landowners are being reminded the deadline to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for the fiscal year 2021 funding is Friday, March 26. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and management techniques. …