The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of the USA” label, which will inform a forthcoming rulemaking on this topic. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said “American consumers depend upon accurate, transparent labels to obtain important information about the food they consume. American farmers and ranchers depend upon those same labels to convey information about …
NCBA Calls Senator Booker’s Bill Misguided
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) calls a bill introduced by Senator Cory Booker misguided. The Farm System Reform Act, reintroduced Wednesday by the New Jersey Democrat, would place a moratorium on concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs. Specifically, the legislation would place an immediate moratorium on new and expanding large CAFOs, and phase out by 2040 the largest …
Gillibrand Planning Dairy Subcommittee Hearing on Pricing
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this week says she is moving forward with a dairy pricing hearing. The New York Democrat announced permission was granted for a hearing in the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee she chairs on Dairy, Livestock, Poultry, Local Food Systems, Food Safety and Security. Although a Senate calendar date is not yet confirmed, the hearing is supposed to occur …
Dr. Janemarie Hennebelle Appointed as Georgia’s Next State Veterinarian
(ATLANTA/July 13, 2021) — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black has appointed Dr. Janemarie Hennebelle as Georgia’s next State Veterinarian, succeeding Dr. Robert Cobb, who retired in June 2021. Hennebelle has served as Assistant State Veterinarian since September of 2016. In her new role, Hennebelle will oversee the Animal Health Division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture while managing staff …
Pandemic Assistance Available for Livestock Producers
Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the Covid-19 pandemic due to insufficient access to processing will soon be able to apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP), a part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Eligible livestock must …
Alabama Junior Cattlemen Event is this Weekend
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s (ACA) reminds folks that the 2021 Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association (AJCA) Roundup will be held this weekend in Montgomery. ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley says this is the 15th annual event. More information about the 2021 AJCA Roundup can be found on the ACA website. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists …
Strong Variety Meat Demand Drives Record Month for Red Meat Exports
We told you last week that for the month of June, both U.S. beef and pork export values shattered previous records that were set back in May. Joe Schuele, with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), has details on how strong variety meat demand helped drive the record month. A detailed summary of red meat export results is available on …
Meat Institute Opposes Government Intervention in Meat Market
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) opposed recent action to make changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act. In a statement, the organization says, President Biden’s executive order calling for the Department of Agriculture to change the Packers and Stockyards rules will have unintended consequences for consumers and producers. Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts states, “Government intervention …
Deadline Nearing to Apply for ADAI Relief Program
Back in April, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) announced they were administering the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) to provide USDA relief funds to farmers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael in 2018. While the original deadline to apply was June 25th, they want to remind those who experienced necessary expenses related to losses of beef …
USDA Supporting Expanded Meat Processing Capabilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced intentions to make significant investments to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and poultry processing to make agricultural markets more accessible, fair, competitive, and resilient for American farmers and ranchers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA will be investing $500 million in American Rescue Plan funds to expand meat and poultry processing …