The USDA published its 2019 Pesticide Data Program’s Annual Summary. The report shows that nearly 99 percent of the tested samples had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency. The two agencies work together every year to identify which foods get tested on a rotating basis. The Agricultural Marketing Service works with state agencies to collect …
Historic 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo Wraps for the Year
(National FFA Organization) — The 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo may have been held virtually this year, but numbers indicate that many members across the country enjoyed the event. There were more than 217,415 viewers and participants of the event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made in late June to host the largest student event virtually …
Scary Insects for Halloween: The Blood-Thirsty Calyptra
Sometimes insects show signs of monster-behavior. It’s nothing personal to us humans, and let me assure you that this behavior has nothing to do with full moons or anything that may live under your bed at night. Sometimes an insect’s monster-behavior is nothing more than the result of good old-fashioned circumstances, like leaving a door or window open. Fortunately, flyscreen …
2020-21 National FFA Officer Team Elected
(National FFA Organization) — Students from Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri were elected by National FFA Delegates to serve as 2020-21 National FFA Officers. These members were selected from 38 candidates vying for the honor. Candidates take part in an extensive online interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee leading up to the selection. The new …
National FFA Announces Winners for National FFA Agriscience Fair
(National FFA Organization) — The National FFA Organization has announced the 2020 National FFA Agriscience Fair winners in the social science divisions. The winners were recognized today during the fifth general session of the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo, held virtually this year. The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students …
Livestock Producers Hail Finalized USFWS Rule Delisting Gray Wolf
(NCBA) — Leaders from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) joined Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith in Minnesota to mark the historic announcement that gray wolves in the contiguous 48 United States have fully recovered and will be returned to state management after …
USDA Lure Attracts Live Asian Giant Hornets, Helps Lead to Nest Discovery
(USDA/ARS) — A scent lure designed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists to attract Asian giant hornets played a key role in the discovery of the first nest of these invasive insects in the United States. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists have verified several finds of Asian giant hornets in Whatcom County since December 2019. They have been …
Wayne Farms’ Clint Rivers Installed for Second Term as Chairman of the National Chicken Council
(NCC) — Clint Rivers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Farms LLC (Oakwood, Georgia) was installed for a second term as 2020-2021 Chairman of the National Chicken Council (NCC) during NCC’s Fall Board of Directors meeting, held virtually this week. Clint joined Wayne Farms in October 2012 as Vice President and General Manager of the Fresh Business Unit. In 2014, he was promoted to …
Could the Miracle Fruit be for South Florida?
New study uncovers data showing how bountiful it can grow in the subtropics (UF/IFAS) — Scientists at University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center have unlocked the mystery behind a highly sought-after berry known as the Miracle fruit in a study published this week. This news brings much needed insight to local growers, and food and drink manufacturers who …
National FFA Announces 2020 National Agricultural Proficiency Winners
(National FFA Organization) — Nine winners of the 2020 Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the fourth general session of the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 28, which is being held virtually this year. Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. …