The latest COVID relief legislation has now been approved by both houses of Congress. After passing through the Senate on Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives took up the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package once again. The bill was passed in the House by a vote of 220-211, largely among party lines. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the …
Agriculture Included in New COVID-19 Relief Package
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, known as “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” is now official as President Biden signed the bill late last week. We’ve all heard how the package will include $1,400 stimulus checks for qualifying individuals, extends unemployment benefits, and more. But it also increases assistance through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And according …
USDA to Investigate COVID-19 Spread in Meat Processing Facilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is initiating an audit of USDA actions that may have contributed to the spread of the COVID-19 in meat processing facilities. The USDA OIG initiated the audit in response to Colorado Senator Michael Bennet’s request last August for an investigation. Bennet says high infection rates early in the …
Perfect Time for Safe-Guard Feed and Mineral Products
Internal parasite control is the cornerstone of an effective animal health program. That’s why Dr. John Hutcheson, director of cattle technical services with Merck Animal Health, says Safe-Guard works different than other de-wormers. He told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman the active ingredient in this product goes straight to the gut, killing the parasites where they live. Click here to check …
Soil Sampling: Management Tactic Helps Farmers Determine Nutrient Needs
The 2021 planting season is just around the corner for Southeast producers. It is the ideal time for farmers to sample their soils and determine what nutrients need to be applied, said Mike Riffle, Senior Manager, Field Development at Valent U.S.A. LLC. “I think any grower, no matter what they’re growing, should be doing soil testing, probably yearly. Now is …
Vilsack’s First Priority Is Containing the Pandemic
The newly-confirmed Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is already busy trying to help rural areas of the country get through the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, Vilsack said his first priority is working to contain the pandemic. Vilsack announced the $42 million will go towards grants to help rural communities, healthcare centers, and schools through their …
CFAP Application Deadline Extended
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it has extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The original deadline was today, Feb. 26. But according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the new deadline will extend 30 days after USDA completes a review of the program. USDA had suspended processing and payments …
AFBF: Farmers Need More Time to Apply for CFAP
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is asking the USDA to extend the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Last month, an additional $13 billion in assistance was made available to help farmers and ranchers who are suffering losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the current deadline is Friday, Feb. 26, recent severe weather and …
Senate Confirms Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture
The U.S. Senate finally approved Tom Vilsack to be the next Secretary of Agriculture in a 92-7 vote. A former governor of Iowa, Vilsack also served two terms as Ag Secretary in the Obama Administration. He was the 30th Secretary of Agriculture under President Obama and is now the 32nd after Tuesday’s Senate confirmation. Before the vote, the Senate allowed …
Ag Groups Congratulate Vilsack on Confirmation as Agriculture Secretary
Farm Bureau Congratulates Tom Vilsack on Confirmation (AFBF) — American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the confirmation of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. “AFBF congratulates Tom Vilsack on his confirmation as the next Secretary of Agriculture. His strong track record of leadership and previous experience at USDA will serve rural America well. “Secretary Vilsack and I have …