The USDA has announced a second round of payments for dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The agency is providing an additional $5 million to help dairy producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. The Farm Service Agency …
Efforts Being Made to Address Rural Veterinary Shortages
Lawmakers have reintroduced the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, formerly known as the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. Introduced in both the House and Senate, the legislation would expand its reach. The Program helps increase access to food animal veterinary services in rural areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt. The legislation would end the federal …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Cost-Share Assistance for Agricultural Producers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
~ Maximum grant for eligible producers raised from $50,000 to $150,000 ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 21,2023) — Today, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a cost-share assistance program to support agricultural producers severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The cost-share assistance program will be administered though the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy and will support …
AFBF: Dairy Make Allowances Reform a Must
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch presented testimony this week at the ongoing Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Formula hearing. This is the third time an AFBF representative has testified at the hearing. The testimony focuses on adjusting make allowances, or the estimated costs that dairy processors incur to convert milk to consumable dairy products, like cheese and butter. …
Pasture and Rangeland Poor Conditions Continue to Expand
Continued dryness over much of the country is behind the growing very poor to poor pasture and rangeland condition ratings for the nation as a whole. Rod Bain has the story. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has more information about pasture and rangeland in the very-poor to poor condition category by state.
Milk Loss Assistance Available for Dairy Operations Hurt by Disasters
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced Milk Loss Program (MLP) assistance for eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed, without compensation, from the commercial milk market due to qualifying weather events and the consequences of those weather events that inhibited delivery or storage of milk (e.g., power outages, impassable roads, infrastructure losses, etc.) during calendar years 2020, …
FAPRI Releases U.S. Baseline Outlook
The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri released its annual U.S. Baseline Outlook report. It includes projections for agricultural and biofuel markets and helps in evaluating alternative scenarios for agricultural policy. “Projected prices for most crops, poultry, and dairy products all retreat in 2023 from recent peaks, and so do some production expenses,” says …
World Dairy Expo to Host a Dairy Symposium
World Dairy Expo will host a Dairy Symposium featuring the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives from across the country on October 3, 2023. The DBI Initiatives were established in the 2018 Farm Bill. The four regional DBI Initiatives provide direct technical assistance and sub-awards to dairy businesses to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. The Dairy Symposium at World …
U.S. Has Multi-Layered Programs to Handle Foreign Animal Diseases
USDA has a multi-layered approach to protecting our livestock industry from high-consequence foreign animal diseases. Gary Crawford has more details. Dr. Julie Wallin with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, talks about the mission of the National Animal Health Laboratory Dr. Wallin says USDA wants to protect all livestock operations, big and small, from foreign animal diseases.
FDACS Provides Update on Hurricane Idalia Response and Recovery Efforts
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/SEPT. 1, 2023) — Today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provided an update on Hurricane Idalia response and recovery efforts. Click here for the Hurricane Idalia Survey for Certificate Holders Click here for the Hurricane Idalia Survey for Processors For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov. Florida Department of Agriculture and …