The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Women Infants and Children’s Program (WIC) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are recommending the introduction of solid foods, like beef, to infants and toddlers. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Director of Public Relations Taylor Evans says every bite counts, especially in that first 1,000 days of life. For more information about feeding beef to …
Scott, Thompson Agree, Disagree on Climate Change
The tone is set on the climate change debate in the House Agriculture Committee, and it took place during the committee’s first hearing last week. Committee Chair David Scott, of Georgia, says changes in weather patterns bring serious risks to production agriculture, forest resources and the overall economy. He says, “These risks cannot be understated.” Scott also says the USDA’s …
Soil Sampling: Management Tactic Helps Farmers Determine Nutrient Needs
The 2021 planting season is just around the corner for Southeast producers. It is the ideal time for farmers to sample their soils and determine what nutrients need to be applied, said Mike Riffle, Senior Manager, Field Development at Valent U.S.A. LLC. “I think any grower, no matter what they’re growing, should be doing soil testing, probably yearly. Now is …
GCC Encourages Participation in Various Leadership Roles
Leadership is important for the cotton industry. Georgia is fortunate to have several key cotton voices hail from the Peach State and serve in significant capacities, says Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC). “We’re the second biggest cotton-growing state. We have about 3,500 family farmers that grow cotton in Georgia. We are fortunate to have an …
Florida Cattlemen Prepare for Legislative Session
The 2021 Florida Legislative Session kicks off Tuesday, March 2 and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) is preparing for what will be a different session this year. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs Sam Ard said due to COVID-19, FCA will not be holding its Legislative Quarterly in Tallahassee this year. The Florida House and Senate are scheduled to meet in …
Alabama Hemp Industry Still Growing
While the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is still in the process of approving applications for the 2021 hemp growing season, early reports show an increase in the number of growers interested in hemp production in Alabama. But according to an article from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), Katelyn Kesheimer, Extension entomologist and leader of the hemp …
CFAP Application Deadline Extended
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it has extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The original deadline was today, Feb. 26. But according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the new deadline will extend 30 days after USDA completes a review of the program. USDA had suspended processing and payments …
Lawmakers Introduce Emergency Feed Bill
Legislation introduced this week in the Senate would provide farmers and ranchers with additional flexibility to alleviate feed shortages in years with widespread excessive moisture, flooding or drought. The Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters with Cover Crops Act would create an emergency waiver authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to allow for haying, grazing or chopping of a cover crop …
AFBF: Farmers Need More Time to Apply for CFAP
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is asking the USDA to extend the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Last month, an additional $13 billion in assistance was made available to help farmers and ranchers who are suffering losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the current deadline is Friday, Feb. 26, recent severe weather and …
NCBA Provides Industry Information During Virtual Event
During the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) virtual Winter Reboot this week, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane discussed the state of the industry and priority issues in Washington, D.C. They discussed the availability of USDA programs to assist farmers and ranchers from the damage done by the recent frigid temperatures, the impact …