Hassey Brooks

Hassey Brooks Comments on ADA Response to NWS in US

At the recent Alabama Agribusiness Council annual meeting, Southeast AgNet had the opportunity to sit down with Hassey Brooks, Alabama Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner. Brooks discussed how Alabama is responding to the Texas New World screwworm detection saying, “Well we’re in a great position with our leadership at the department with Commissioner Payton and also to Dr. Tony Frazier.” …

milk

June Milk Reports from USDA

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discussed the USDA price forecast for different milk categories this month. Jekanowski said, “A small reduction in our cheese price forecast for 2026 down 4 cents per pound, butter nearly steady up 1 cent per pound. We made a fairly large adjustment to our nonfat by milk price, lowered that by 7 cents …

New World Screwworm

USDA Announces Funding for 40 Break Through Projects to Combat NWS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced funding for the 40 Breakthrough projects in an effort to defend against New World Screwworm. Through the program proposals will receive a combined total of $105 million. According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website this funding will be used “to sharpen detection, accelerate control and eradication tools, and strengthen …

Brooke Rollins

Agriculture Leaders Release Statements on NWS

After the recent discovery of New World Screwworm in Texas last week, several agriculture leaders have released statements sharing how they are taking action to combat this livestock industry threat. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said “We have been working in close coordination with federal, state and industry partners to prepare for the New world screwworm’s arrival in the …

emergency rule

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Issues Emergency Rule to Protect Against HPAI

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule aimed to impose movement restrictions and testing for imported dairy cattle to Florida. This comes as an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. There have been no detections of HPAI in any livestock in Florida. Commissioner Simpson said, “This emergency rule is another proactive step Florida …

Dairy

Milk and Dairy Product Futures Spurred By Demand

Butter and non-fat dry milk prices started the year in a deep slump, resulting in milk checks that didn’t even cover costs. According to dairy economists at CoBank, June Class IV milk futures have climbed nearly $7 per hundred since New Year’s, trading over $22, they say, an unprecedented move in just five months. Further, analysts at CoBank point to two very different reasons. …

fda

FDA Approves NWS Drug for use in Dairy Cattle

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recent Emergency Use Authorization for Dectomax CA-1for the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm in Dairy Cattle. The authorization of Dectomax CA-1, which is sponsored by Zoetis, includes emergency use in dairy cattle including lactating dairy cows, dry dairy cows, replacement dairy heifers 20 months of age and older, but excludes …

milk

USDA Releases May Price Forecast for Milk and Milk Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released their price forecast for Milk and Milk Products for May 2026. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski explains, “With those very strong nonfat dry milk prices, that contributes directly to strong class four prices. So for 2026, we raised our class four price by $1.35 per hundredweight. It’s now at $19.95 per hundredweight. For 2027, …

insurance

USDA RMA Announces Updates to Improve Insurance Coverage

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency has announced updates to improve insurance coverage through livestock programs beginning in 2027. “These updates expand coverage options, update eligibility definitions and strengthen program consistency across RMA’s livestock portfolio. These enhancements are another way we are putting Farmers First. We want to ensure that livestock and dairy operations across the country have …

Georgia milk producers

Georgia Milk Producers Share Reaction To Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act Rule

Earlier this week we shared that USDA had released the final rule for the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids implementation and we caught up with Bryce Trotter with the Georgia Milk Producers to learn their reaction. “Our dairy producers are excited to see this next step in bringing whole milk or 2% milk back to our schools. The rule issued by …