There are many states across the nation that have State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs that are approved by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). But under the existing framework, state-inspected products can only be sold interstate if approved to do so under the Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program (CIS). So this week a bill was introduced in …
2020 Cotton Quality Awards
The Georgia Cotton Commission recognized the 2020 Cotton Quality Award winners during Wednesday’s virtual annual meeting. The winners include: Region 1 Less than 500 acres, Producer-Chad Hawkins, Ginner-Sconyers Gin and Warehouse Company, Wilcox County; 500-1,000 acres, Producer-Wendell Hobby, Ginner-Sconyers Gin and Warehouse Company, Turner County; more than 1,000 acres, Producer-Wilson Keene, Ginner-Sconyers Gin and Warehouse Company, Dodge County Region 2 …
Premiums Included in Some Peanut Contracts
For peanut farmers, contracts for the 2021 crop are being offered at this time. According to a story from Tyron Spearman, some of those contracts include various premiums. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober …
Farmer Feedback Needed for Conservation Planning
The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) is urging landowners to take part in a survey to obtain feedback on ways to strengthen the value of a conservation plan and to improve the delivery of conservation planning assistance to landowners. NCPP is a partnership between USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Association of Conservation Districts, National Association of RC&D Councils, …
USDA Temporarily Suspends Debt Collections on Farm Loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is temporarily suspending past-due debt collections and foreclosures for distressed borrowers under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and International debt collection agency. USDA will also temporarily suspend non-judicial foreclosures, debt offsets or …
Senate Ag Committee Schedules Vilsack Confirmation Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee scheduled a confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack. The committee will meet Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m. ET, to consider the nomination. Committee leadership, Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow and Arkansas Republican John Boozman, made the announcement Wednesday. Vilsack is expected to enjoy a smooth confirmation process. Vilsack previously served as Agriculture Secretary for …
Alabama January Crop and Weather Update
Each week during the row crop growing season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publishes a weekly crop report, looking at how specific crops are progressing and more. This time of the year, the report looks mostly at weather conditions and the crops that are grown at this time. According to NASS, January temperatures in …
GDA Produce Safety Alliance to Hold More Training Sessions
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) held a 2-day virtual Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training this week. According to GDA Education and Outreach Associate Elizabeth Danforth, they are already working on plans to hold another training in a few weeks. Grower Training Courses satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party for …
Weather Main Factor in Seed Coat Fragment Issue
One of the main takeaways from the 2020 cotton season remains the issue with seed coat fragments and the abnormally high number of reported instances in cotton this year. Ed Barnes, Senior Director, Agricultural & Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated, talked to Georgia cotton producers during Wednesday’s annual Georgia Cotton Commission meeting about the surge in seed coat fragment occurrences. …
USDA Expects Milk Production Increase in 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects milk production to increase this year. Stephanie Ho has a story explaining why. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski has more details of USDA’s forecast for month over month higher prices for dairy products. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the …