Last week, the Florida Beef Council (FBC) took part in a conference that was held in Orlando. FBC Director of Beef Marketing and Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says it was the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, where they were able to host a ranch tour for some of the attendees. For more information on Beef Checkoff activities in Florida, contact the FBC office in …
Alabama Cattlemen to Track Special Legislative Session
Last week, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey called a special session of the Legislature to redraw Alabama’s congressional district map. The session, which will begin this month, comes about after the Supreme Court ruling last month. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin Beasley says they will be monitoring the session. For more information, contact the ACA office in Montgomery at 334-265-1867. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In our weekly “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, filling in for the Commissioner this week is Amy Belcher, communications director for the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI). And Amy, I understand ADAI is now accepting applications for your annual Century & Heritage Farm and Bicentennial Farm programs. Can you tell us a little more about these programs? …
USDA Efforts Lift Ban on U.S. Poultry Exports to Colombia
Quick action by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has resolved an issue that temporarily stopped U.S. poultry product exports to Colombia. Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture instructed all of their ports to deny import permits to any poultry products beginning June 1 on concerns of …
Swine Vets Lobby for Foreign Animal Disease Funding in 2023 Farm Bill
Last week, swine veterinarians from around the country flew into Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress to secure funding for foreign animal diseases (FAD) prevention in the 2023 Farm Bill. According to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the subject matter experts highlighted was the importance of the “three-legged stool”, which includes the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), National Animal Health Laboratory Network …
Most Grilling Costs Stay Higher This Summer
We check on the costs of grilling this summer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Cheeseburgers will cost more this year for an Independence Day cookout. USDA says that in May 2023, the ingredients for a home-prepared ¼-pound cheeseburger totaled $2.17 per burger, an increase of 10 cents from 2022. Prices for cheeseburger ingredients grew more slowly over …
Producers Can Apply for Climate Smart Cotton Program
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds its producers that all U.S. cotton growers can now apply for the U. S. Climate Smart Cotton Program; a five-year initiative led by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. The program’s goals are to provide technical and financial assistance to cotton producers; advance adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture practices on 1.2 million acres; produce 4.2 …
NCBA Files Legal Motion to Strike Down Biden WOTUS Rule
Wednesday evening, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and litigation partners filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas asking the court to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA. NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart said, “A full rewrite of the Biden …
NMPF Letter Warns FDA: Don’t Repeat Plant-Based Mistakes with Lab-Produced Fake ‘Milk’
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noting they must end dairy product mislabeling by manufacturers of synthetic, cell-based “dairy” ingredients that are in violation of federal dairy Standards of Identity. The letter said this is to prevent a repeat of the plant-based labeling fiasco that’s created confusion among consumers and regulatory …
USDA Announces Investment in Wildlife Conservation
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in wildlife conservation. That’s coming up on This land of Ours. The USDA this week expanded wildlife conservation investments by $500 million over the next five years. The effort leverages all available conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), through its Working Lands for Wildlife effort. The commitments will ramp up the …