Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) passed a directive to continue advocating for transparent labeling and inspection of cell-cultured protein products. While NCBA President Todd Wilkinson says cattle producers aren’t afraid of competition, he knows that consumers will continue choosing real high-quality beef over cell-cultured imitations. “Our priority is ensuring that consumers know the difference between real beef and cell-cultured …
Georgia Cotton Commission Hosts Mid-Year Meeting
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s first mid-year meeting on Wednesday in Statesboro, Georgia, educated and celebrated with those in attendance. The event at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center at Georgia Southern University provided growers timely information as they continue to navigate the current growing season. It also celebrated the winners of the Georgia Cotton Quality Awards, which was a …
Urban Producers, Public Invited to Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to submit comments and virtually attend a public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Committee. The virtual meeting will run from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Eastern on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. ? The Committee is part of USDA’s …
NCBA President Hits Back at Animal Rights Activists and Policymakers Attacking the Beef Checkoff
(NCBA/WASHINGTON, D. C./July 26, 2023) — Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer, responded to attacks on the Beef Checkoff and NCBA from animal rights activists and their allies in Congress: “As a cattle producer, I know what it means to work hard for every dollar, and I am proud to invest my money …
USDA Extends Deadline for Emergency Conservation Program Applications from Florida Producers in 28 Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for applications from agricultural producers for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Ian. The application deadline has been extended to September 25, 2023. “We understand the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Ian and the catastrophic and widespread impacts in Florida’s agricultural communities,” said Deborah Tannenbaum, State Executive …
Spartz Ag Appropriations Amendment Ignites Checkoff Debate
The cattle industry is speaking out against a proposed amendment to the ag appropriations bill, and the Representative behind the amendment is firing back. Introduced by Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05), the amendment states that none of the funds made available by the bill may be used to carry out commodity checkoff programs. Vice President of Government Affairs with the …
FDACS Seeks Input from Produce Growers on the Farm to School Program
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking input from produce growers in the state on the Farm to School Initiative. If you grow and market fresh produce of any kind, they want to hear from you. It’s all part of an effort to further develop the existing Initiative. FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are …
Legislation Would Exempt Farms from Emission Reporting
Last week, a group of lawmakers introduced legislation to exclude reporting of routine emissions from livestock farms to state and local emergency response authorities. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) supports the legislation. Pork producers and other livestock industries have engaged with federal and state regulators for decades over permitting and reporting of air emissions. This engagement has included both …
NCBA Urges Opposition to Spartz Ag Appropriations Amendment
The cattle industry is speaking out against a proposed amendment to the ag appropriations bill. Introduced by Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05), the amendment states that none of the funds made available by the bill may be used to carry out commodity checkoff programs. Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Ethan Lane, says it …
USMEF Attending Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings
Cattle producers from across the nation are in San Diego this week for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings. One key focus of the conference will be industry efforts to bolster global demand for U.S. beef, which these efforts are funded in part by the Beef Checkoff Program and USDA market development programs. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO …