WASHINGTON (NCBA) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) sent a letter signed by 39 of its state affiliates to U.S. Senate and House leaders urging them to support the swift ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy …
ADAI Accepting Applications for Temporary Employment during 2019 Peanut Harvest
MONTGOMERY (ADAI) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) will be accepting applications and conducting interviews for temporary employment between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the dates and at the locations listed below. Applications are only accepted by applicants that attend one of the following interview sessions. August 9th: Andalusia Public Library – 212 …
Beneath the Earth, the ‘Black Box’ of Soil Holds a Key to Crop Growth
IMMOKALEE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — Like much of what lies just beneath the earth’s surface, soil microbes present a mystery. University of Florida scientist Sarah Strauss seeks to help untangle the web of intrigue surrounding soil microbes to improve agricultural production in Florida and globally. “There are microbial activities going on that we don’t exactly understand. It’s known as the ‘black …
NRCS Notes SoilWeb 2.0 App Update is Available
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants landowners to know the iOS and Android SoilWeb app, version 2.0 has been released. The app now has a cleaner and more modern interface with GPS-location-based links to access detailed digital soil survey data (SSURGO) published by the NRCS for most of the U.S. The newly updated SoilWeb smartphone application is available as …
Alabama Riparian Habitat Initiative Signup Ends Monday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, wants to remind producers the Riparian Habitat Initiative signup ends Monday, July 8. NRCS, in partnership with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, is accepting applications for the new initiative, which is focused on improving water quality and improving riparian area habitat through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The intent of the …
Dale County, Alabama, Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Dale County, Alabama, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses caused significant rainfall, wind and flooding as a result of Hurricane Michael, that occurred Oct. 10-11, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) …
Cobank: Poultry Well Positioned to Withstand Profit Pressure
Poultry profitability is coming under pressure as prices decline amid growing supplies. A new report from CoBank says the U.S. chicken industry has experienced an unprecedented run of historic profitability since 2012 and responded by significantly increasing production and processing capacity. Six new poultry processing plants are expected to be operating by 2020, while production and supplies of competing animal …
AFBF Trade Official on USMCA
An American Farm Bureau (AFBF) trade official says reopening the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) could cause new negotiating headaches and ratification delays, but it may be the only way to satisfy House Democrats. Farm Bureau trade advisor Dave Salmonsen says the next few weeks of talks between House Democrats and President Trump’s trade team will determine the way forward on …
A One of a Kind Collection Reaches a Major Milestone
When the sample of semen from the Duroc boar—a breed of domestic pig—arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado this spring, it went largely unnoticed. But the scientists and staff at the Agricultural Research Service’s National Animal Germplasm Collection knew they had reached a milestone. The boar semen was the one millionth sample of animal germplasm to arrive at the facility, which …
Signup Continues for National Conservation Innovation Grants
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds landowners their signup period for National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) continues. USDA is investing up to $12.5 million to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. CIG are competitive grants driving public and private sector innovation in resource conservation, with projects inspiring creative problem-solving that boosts production on farms, ranches, and private …