Cattle and sheep producers warned Congress that environmental laws are increasingly being misused by fringe activist groups and pose a growing threat to grazing on federal lands. The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and the Environment held a hearing. It was in response to mounting challenges faced by ranchers who graze livestock on federal lands …
McMillan Advises Horse Owners to Vaccinate for EEE & West Nile Virus
Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan has announced that three horses have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the department’s diagnostic laboratory in Auburn. The positive results came from horses in Houston, Mobile and Geneva Counties. EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is more severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality rate in horses …
Mulhern Comments on Passage of Newhouse Amendment to Improve H-2A Program for Dairy Producers
“We greatly appreciate Rep. Dan Newhouse’s (R-WA) work on behalf of America’s dairy producers to expand the H-2A farm worker visa program to include year-round employees on farms. “Rep. Newhouse’s amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill would allow farm employers to use the H-2A visa program to hire foreign workers, regardless of whether those employees are engaged in temporary …
Retired UF/IFAS Agronomist Celebrates 106th Birthday
Elver Hodges, who started working at the University of Florida Range Cattle Research and Education Center just before the U.S. entered World War II, plans to celebrate his 106th birthday with family and friends a few days before his Aug. 2 birthday. An agronomy professor with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for 39 years, Hodges introduced improved …
House Vote on Guest Worker Bill in Doubt
House Republican leaders appear to be going back on a promise to hold a vote ahead of the August recess on a conservative immigration bill that includes a new guest-worker program for farmers. Back in June, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy promised several members there would be a vote. Politico says House Republican leaders now don’t have any plans to …
Higher Inventory and Tariffs Impacting Cattle Markets
The USDA released the Cattle Inventory, July Cattle on Feed, and July Livestock Slaughter reports last week. The Cattle Inventory report provides the first real estimate of the 2018 calf crop, as well as a look at how rapidly the U.S. cattle herd is increasing. The July first all cattle and calves number was one percent higher than last year, …
One Week Left to Complete Census of Agriculture
The National Ag Statistics Service is ending all of its data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture on July 31. Anyone who received the Census questionnaire is required by law to respond by that date. They can also fill out the census online at AgCensus.USDA.Gov. NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer says the Census of Agriculture, which is conducted once every …
McMillan Encouraged by USDA Tariff Relief Program
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a plan to remedy losses sustained by American agriculture producers due to retaliatory tariffs. The $12 billion package of aid is expected to create a short-term solution to the ongoing trade negotiations. According to USDA, the funding falls in line with the estimated $11 billion impact of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural …
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Applauds Efforts to Assist Farmers Affected by Tariffs
Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is applauding action taken by the Trump Administration to assist farmers who have been hurt by recent trade disputes. “We look forward to learning more regarding the assistance announced today,” Commissioner Black said. “We believe this is a good short-term solution for our farmers who have long-suffered from unfair trade practices from many of our …
Benefits of Sustainably Harvesting Non-timber Forest Products
A new report by USDA Forest Service researchers provides science-based information to help decision-makers, practitioners, and researchers to promote the sustainable harvest of non-timber forest products. The Assessment of Nontimber Forest Products in the United States Under Changing Conditions synthesizes the best available science for managing non-timber forest resources in the U.S. “Many private landowners harvest non-timber products to generate income from …