beagle brigade

Beagle Brigade Secures the Nation’s Agricultural Gateways

Dan Agri-Business, Pest/Pest Control, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beagle Brigade continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the country’s farms and crops from invasive pests. Deployed at major airports, border crossings, and postal facilities, these highly trained detection dogs work in tandem with their human handlers to pinpoint unauthorized fruits, vegetables, and meat items that could harbor harmful organisms. Beagles are chosen …

food waste

USDA Invests in Two Florida Composting and Food Waste Reduction Projects

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $7.5 million in 26 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) notes two Florida projects have been selected.  The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements are part of USDA’s …

optimistic

Optimistic about Potential New Agriculture Secretary

Dan Agri-Business, Cattle, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), USDA

With the new administration set to take over on Monday, there are some in the ag industry who are very optimistic about the potential new Agriculture Secretary. Rusty Halvorson has more details. As he prepares to move back into the White House, President-elect Donald Trump did nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his Secretary of Agriculture. National …

georgia state

2025 Georgia State Legislative Session Underway

Dan Georgia, Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC), Industry, Legislative

The 2025 Georgia State Legislative Session kicked off January 13th and the 40-day session will involve various issues of interest to those in agriculture. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that committee assignments were handed out this week. To keep track of activities during the 2025 legislative session, go to the GAC website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture …

Peanut Farm Show Allows Growers to Reflect on ’24 Season, Prepare for ’25

Clint Thompson Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC)

By Clint Thompson The timing of Thursday’s Georgia Peanut Farm Show allowed a moment of reflection for Georgia producers for the 2024 season and what they can expect with next year’s planting season on the horizon. Maddie Frost, project coordinator-farm and field services for the Georgia Peanut Commission, discussed the show which attracted hundreds of producers and industry leaders, along …

bqa

Updated BQA National Manual Now Available

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

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently announced the release of its updated Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) National Manual, which serves as a resource for science-based cattle production information and is free to all. “BQA empowers beef producers to maximize their potential to make the most efficient and responsible use of natural resources for effectively producing the world’s most nutritious and flavorful …

GCC Annual Meeting Less Than Two Weeks Away

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds its farmers and industry specialists that the commission’s annual meeting is less than two weeks away. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The meeting is free and is slated to start at 8 a.m. It will …

grants

USDA Announces Grants and Technical Assistance Funding

Dan Economy, USDA-NIFA, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is providing a total of $14.4 million in grants and technical assistance through two separately funded projects to support urban agriculture and innovative production. USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) is making available $2.5 million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants, building on $53.7 million invested …

trade

Looking at Trade Prospects with the New Administration

Dan Beef, Cattle, Economy, Exports/Imports, Trade, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

With the new administration scheduled to be sworn in next Monday, some wonder if they will be able to bring progress on trade negotiations. Rusty Halvorson has the story. Will a second administration of President Donald Trump bring progress on trade negotiations with key global partners? U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis, Erin Borror, says exporters will be watching …

craig

Craig Denounces Proposed Cuts to Farm Bill Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Legislative, USDA, USDA-NRCS

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig released a statement criticizing a new Republican proposal she says would reduce funding for essential farm bill programs in order to pay for tax cuts. According to Craig, the proposed plan includes cuts to nutrition assistance, conservation efforts, and rural energy investments. Craig points to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a …