USDA Developing New Ways to Track COVID in Wild and Domestic Animals

Dan Beef, Cattle, Coronavirus, Dairy, Equine, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, USDA-APHIS

Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing new tests to identify and track the COVID virus in wild and domestic animals. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is implementing $300 million to conduct monitoring and surveillance of susceptible animals for the COVID virus. Through the initiative, ARS, in partnership with …

The History of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Dan USDA

In February every year, we celebrate Presidents Day which the official holiday was this past Monday. Today, Mark Oppold looks back at when the U.S. Department of Agriculture and that secretary position began in our country. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida …

WOTUS and the 2023 Farm Bill on the Horizon for Producers

Dan Beef, Cattle, Farm Bill, Legislative, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

Two major policy issues should be on the radar of southeastern cattle producers this year, according to Fred Smith, NCBA Region II Policy Division Vice President. Southeast AgNet’s Will Jordan has more information. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive …

Around the State with Commissioner Pate

Dan Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Census of Agriculture, USDA-NASS

In our weekly “Around the State with Commissioner Rick Pate”, for years now, grower tours of the Cotton Incorporated research facility in Cary, N.C. have been taking place. And Commissioner, you recently took part in one of these tours. Can you tell us about it? That’s our weekly Around the State with Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner, Rick Pate. Sponsored ContentFlorida …

Florida Ag Landowners Reminded of Conservation Easement Program Signup Deadline

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS, Water

Florida agricultural landowners interested in protecting their land uses with conservation values are being reminded about a fiscal year 2023 application deadline through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is accepting applications for the Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) component. That sign-up deadline is February 28, 2023. NRCS accepts these applications year-round, but any received after that date …

NRCS Broadened Reach of Conservation in Past Two Years

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work despite the pandemic and numerous natural disasters. During the past couple of years, they’ve helped agricultural producers and forest landowners implement conservation practices on their working lands. These efforts by NRCS helped conserve natural resources such as soil, water and wildlife while delivering climate solutions and boosting producers’ bottom lines. Through …

NPPC Economic Update Gives Snapshot of Current Pork Industry Opportunities and Challenges

Dan Economy, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released its latest pork industry economic update that summarizes key pork industry market indicators through January 2023. The takeaways include: The U.S. pork industry is a pillar of the U.S. economy, supporting jobs, sales, and value-added activity throughout the pork supply chain,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC vice president and pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “It is important to raise …

USDA Designates Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Agri-Business, Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Drought, Funding, USDA-FSA, Weather

(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/Feb. 15,2023) — Last week USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a Secretarial natural disaster designation for 27 counties in Tennessee that also included four counties in Alabama that are contiguous to some of the Tennessee counties. This designation will extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from drought through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various …

NCBA CEO on Optimism in the Cattle Industry

Dan Cattle, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

During the recent Cattle Industry Convention held in New Orleans, AgNet Media intern Will Jordon had a chance to talk with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO about the industry. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the …

IRA Funding for Climate-Smart Agriculture

Dan Agri-Business, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Climate Change, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), This Land of Ours, USDA-NRCS

Investing in climate-smart agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for agricultural producers and forest landowners to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion over five years for climate-smart agriculture through several USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. NRCS is …