ERS Study Shows Meatpackers Role in COVID Spread

A study from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows the role meatpacking plants played in the spread of COVID-19. In what ERS describes as a working paper, the study outlined 49 U.S. non-metro counties in which 20 percent or more of employment is in meatpacking, defined as meatpacking-dependent counties. This represents 41 percent of all nonmetro counties with employment in …

USDA Initiative to Create More and Better Market Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of their efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, has announced plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in lending through community and private sector lenders to expand …

October Beef Month Underway in Alabama

October Beef Month in Alabama is underway, and the annual event involves a variety of Beef Checkoff promotions. One of those continues this week, as Burger Week is underway in Mobile and runs through October 9th. Then, according to Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell, next up will be Beef Week. Learn more about these and other …

Georgia Beef Board Chairman Proud of Checkoff

The Beef Checkoff has been around many years, and one Georgia cattle producer still strongly believes in the program. Robert Fountain Jr., from Adrian and Chairman of the Georgia Beef Board (GBB), recently told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman producers dollars invested into it have yielded tremendous returns to the industry. For more information, contact the GBB office in Macon or …

“Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” 300 Returns to Daytona

The Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, has announced they will once again sponsor a NASCAR race at the Daytona International Speedway. The Federation will sponsor the 41st season-opening “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300” race. The event will be held Saturday, February 19, one day before the Daytona 500. This is the second time the Beef …

Short-term Extension of Livestock Price Reporting Keeps Reform Issue Alive

A short-term extension for Mandatory Livestock Price Reporting approved by Congress as part of a temporary stop-gap bill to keep the government open, allows more time for possible market reforms. Lawmakers voted for the extension as the authorization for existing mandatory reporting of livestock prices was about to expire, and temporary funding was needed to avert an end-of-fiscal-year government shutdown. …

Beef Cattle Inventories and Production May Be Smaller Next Year

There is mounting evidence to show that we are on the down side of the beef cattle cycle. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune …

AFBF: No Methane Tax on Animals in Reconciliation Bill

The American Farm Bureau Federation, addressing a social media myth, says “the current language of the reconciliation bill does not impose a methane tax on agriculture.” Those words from AFBF’s Public Affairs Vice President Sam Kieffer, who says the statement seeks to clear up any confusion. Kieffer says that over the summer, Farm Bureau economists conducted an analysis, at the …

Georgia Beef Board Preparing for the Fair

The Georgia Beef Board (GBB) is putting the final touches on their exhibit for this year’s Georgia National Fair. GBB Director of Public Relations, Taylor Evans, says their booth will feature careers in the beef industry. The Georgia National Fair in Perry runs October 7-17, and then GBB will be at the Sunbelt Ag Expo October 19-21 in Moultrie. For more information contact the …