NCBA Pleased with Processing Capacity Bill

Introduction of the Butcher Block Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last week pleased the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The bipartisan legislation would establish a stand-alone loan program through the Department of Agriculture to help processors expand capacity, improve marketing options for cattle producers and encourage competitive markets and pricing for live cattle. “When there’s not enough capacity …

Scientists Develop Vaccine to Protect Cattle from Johne’s Disease

Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have developed a new experimental vaccine to protect cattle from the bacterium that causes Johne’s disease. The disease is a chronic intestinal disorder that can cause diarrhea, weight loss, poor health and sometimes death in cattle. In the U.S. Johne’s disease is most prevalent in dairy herds costing the industry more than $220 million annually. But, the disease …

NCBA Concerned with EPA Revising Navigable Waters Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two weeks ago their intent to repeal and rewrite the definition of the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which of course replaced the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. A review of the rule, requested by President Joe Biden, claims stakeholders are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies. Various farm groups …

New USDA Grants to Benefit Meat and Poultry Inspection Operations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $55.2 million in competitive funding will be available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. The new program is being funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. “We are building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors and producers across the …

Florida DEP Provides Update to Cattlemen

One of the speakers during last week’s Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention held at Marco Island was Adam Blalock, deputy secretary of ecosystems restoration for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Blalock gave producers an update on BMP’s, and also provided information about funding that was earmarked during the recent Florida Legislative Session for environmental programs. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked …

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Kicks off Regional Cookouts

In an effort to see members across the state, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has kicked off their Regional Cookouts. The first one was held on June 10th in Atmore and ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley says it was nicely attended. For more information about the remaining four ACA Regional Cookouts, go to their website, bamabeef.org. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …

Research Supports Dairy’s Net Zero Initiative with $10 Million Grant

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research recently awarded a $10 million grant supporting U.S. dairy’s Net Zero Initiative. Announced last Thursday, the funding will support a six-year project titled “Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration.” The project focuses on building soil health to reduce greenhouse gases and improving water quality, along with enabling new economic benefits. The research will provide …