USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind dairy producers that today, June 1, is the deadline to sign-up for the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The program offers protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. Dairy operations must make a new coverage election for 2018, even if you enrolled during the previous 2018 signup period. Coverage elections made …
USDA Reopens Application Period for Producers Recovering from Cattle Loss, Other Disasters
Signup Begins June 4 for Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4 from agricultural producers who suffered livestock, honeybees, farm-raised fish and other losses due to natural disasters. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reopening the application period for two …
Got Jobs? Dairy Does
The newspaper headlines in 2018 have painted a grim portrait of the difficult financial conditions facing many of America’s dairy farmers. The prolonged slump in milk prices we’ve been going through has taken a painful toll on farmers, raising questions about the outlook not just for individual farms, but for the entire U.S. dairy sector. Hopefully, the recent positive movement …
Nation’s Number Two Milk Processor Continues to Close Plants
Dean Foods, the nation’s number-two milk producer behind Nestle, continues to shutter businesses in cost-cutting moves. Milk Business Dot Com says supply-and-demand economics appears to be the driving force behind the downsizing. U.S. milk production is continuing to climb as the demand for fluid milk wanes. That’s been hard on Dean’s bottom line as the company reported a year-over-year eight …
Florida Cattlemen’s Convention Online Registration Ending
If you have yet to register for the 2018 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show, then now is the time to do so, as the online registration deadline is Sunday, June 3. FCA’s Director of Field Services, Dusty Holley, says the 2018 event is coming up June 18-21 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Florida Cattlemen’s Convention Online Registration Ending Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle …
Beef Supply Facing Mounting Market Pressures
A recent report from Rabobank shows dryness in the south is pointing towards tightening of beef supplies. The Rabobank Beef Quarterly report shows beef cow slaughter numbers are up ten percent through mid-April from a year ago, driven by ongoing dry pasture conditions, and the likelihood of forced herd liquidation during the coming grazing season, as reported by meat industry …
USDA Will Not Recognize Third-Party Inspections Regarding Animal Welfare
The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, will not establish new criteria for recognizing third-party inspection and certification programs when determining the Agency’s own inspection frequency under the Animal Welfare Act. In December of last year, APHIS announced a series of public listening sessions as for leadership to gather information about the concept of third-party …
Reminder: MPP Enrollment Deadline Looming
Dairy farmers have until Friday to enroll in the retooled dairy Margin Protection Program. The Department of Agriculture set a June first deadline for enrollment in the program that was revised by Congress earlier this year. USDA says many producers will see payments in early June, depending on the coverage they elect. The program protects dairy producers by paying them …
Dairy Groups Ask for Original Oversight
U.S. dairy producers and manufacturers offered to collaborate with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue fostering dairy food safety and job growth, as the agency develops procedures for regulating imported foods, including shellfish and dairy. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) asked for further engagement with FDA on ways to …
Winner Announced in Bama’s Best Beef Contest
A winner has been announced in the third annual Bama’s Best Beef Contest. Kayla Greer, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association director of social media and communications, tells who it is. Winner Announced in Bama’s Best Beef Contest Pelham Restaurant Home to Bama’s Best Beef The filet kabobs dish from Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods of Pelham has been named Bama’s Best Beef in a contest sponsored by …