The USDA Ag Marketing Service announced this week that it’s revising the live animal specification used for all Angus Certification Programs. The goal is to reflect changes in cattle genetics and marketing, with the proposals to take effect on July 1. A Meating Place Dot Com article says the revised specifications for phenotypic evaluations require that cattle have a main …
Oklahoma Beef Council Embezzler Pleads Guilty
Former Oklahoma Beef Council employee Melissa Mortenson pled guilty this week to embezzling $2.6 million from the beef checkoff over the course of seven years. She now awaits sentencing from the court. The Beef Council Board of Directors says this is a significant step towards bringing the criminal matter to a conclusion. “We are indebted to federal investigators for the …
Senate Passes Bill to Address Potential Agroterrorism
The U.S. Senate passed legislation designed to address the potential threat of agroterrorism and keep the American food supply safe. Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts co-sponsored the legislation in the Senate and says an attack on the nation’s food supply would cause irreparable damage. “This legislation reaffirms the important role for the Department of Homeland Security in preventing agro-terrorism,” Roberts …
Roberts/Stabenow: No More Cuts to Agriculture
The Senate Ag Committee heard testimony this week from several economists on the challenges that currently exist in farm country. The Hagstrom Report says Republican Ag Chair Pat Roberts of Kansas and Ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan both came to the same conclusion: no more cuts for farm bill programs. At what he described as the first farm bill …
Agri View: Big Difference in Climate Change
Everett Griner talks about how some people look at climate change differently in today’s Agri View. Here is an interesting feature that I have knowledge about. It is about climate change and the reason some people see it differently. Including farmers. You see, there is a difference between climate and weather. The feature I just read points out …
Perdue Looking at ‘Right-Sizing’ USDA Agencies
We’ve heard a lot the past few days about President Trump’s proposed budget and how if realized, would mean steep cuts for agriculture. One area of those proposed cuts is the U.S. Department of Agriculture staff, as the budget proposal calls for an estimated cut of 5,263 positions. Last week Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told a House Appropriations Subcommittee that …
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Addresses USMEF
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) held their Spring Conference in Arlington, Virginia last week. One of the speakers was Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. We’ve heard that President Trump’s proposed budget includes cuts to the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD). Sen. Roberts talked about …
Budget Proposal Would Affect Many in Agriculture
The Trump administration’s budget proposal for the fiscal year 2018 includes a number of program reductions and eliminations that, if implemented, would severely compromise policies that are critical to many in agriculture. Reece Langley, vice president of Washington operations for the National Cotton Council, explains what the proposed cuts would affect. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage …
Tools to Navigate Nation’s Parks and Forests
Exploring national parks and forests is a timeless adventure, offering a blend of natural beauty, wildlife encounters, and the thrill of the great outdoors. In the digital age, various tech tools have emerged to enhance this experience, making it safer, more enjoyable, and accessible. This article delves into the best tech tools for navigating these natural wonders, with a special …
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: Citrus Greening
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam talks about Citrus Greening, a disease that is impacting Florida’s signature crop – citrus. You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, …