The U.S. pork industry’s top priority for the next Farm Bill is establishing a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank, the National Pork Producers Council told a House Agriculture subcommittee in testimony. “If this country ever had an FMD outbreak, it not only would devastate my farm and the whole livestock industry but the entire U.S. economy,” said NPPC Vice President …
Subcommittee Examines Federal Nutrition Programs
The House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Nutrition convened a hearing to examine the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) three commodity distribution programs: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Committee members heard from a panel of witnesses representing each of these programs who explained how the programs differ, …
Additional Poultry Flocks Test Positive for Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Alabama
State veterinarian, Dr. Tony Frazier, confirms that a flock of chickens at a commercial poultry breeding operation located in Pickens County and a backyard flock located in Madison County have both tested positive for low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).
China Halts Meat Imports from Brazil
China is blocking meat imports from Brazil until the nation can provide more information about an investigation into a bribery scheme to release sanitary licenses for meat products.
Senate Ag Committee Sets Perdue Hearing Time
The Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday announced the time for Sonny Perdue’s confirmation hearing. Perdue is the last in line for a confirmation hearing, after being the last cabinet nominee announced by then president-elect Donald Trump a day before his inauguration into office.
Japan, Germany, Pledge to Work Together on Free Trade
Japan and Germany over the weekend announced an agreement to work together on free trade. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s removal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which included Japan.
Canada Blocks Poultry, Eggs from Alabama and Tennessee
Canada has moved to block imports of poultry and eggs from select areas in Alabama and Tennessee.
Stabenow Asking for USDA Bird Flu Response Information
Senate Agriculture Committee ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is asking the Agriculture Department to outline its avian influenza response.
Court Rules Against State on Skim Milk Labeling
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida Most shoppers in the dairy aisle probably never give it a lot of thought. But a battle over the labeling of skim milk led Monday to a federal appeals court siding with a small Calhoun County creamery in a First Amendment fight with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Building a Reliable, Low-Cost Device to Measure Moisture in Grain Bags
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed a new way for farmers in developing areas of the world to determine the moisture content of their stored grain. Such determinations can help prevent losses due to insects, spoilage and mold growth that can render grain unfit for consumption. Unlike in the West, farmers in underdeveloped countries use large bags rather …