Innovative science and genomic technology is driving progress when it comes to regional adaptation of beef cattle. Jared Decker with the University of Missouri is involved in a comprehensive study, funded by a USDA grant, that seeks to improve regional adaptability of cattle. Adaptability Ultimately, Decker hopes to give producers the genomic tools to match cattle genetics with a specific …
Pork Checkoff Invests in Consumer Research
Each year, the Pork Checkoff invests in consumer research. National Pork Board CEO Bill Even says the latest study offered unique insight into what happens at the meat case. Consumers Secondly, consumers have been confused with the names used for pork cuts. Cuts There is a rule of thumb for any business—ignore the customer at your own peril. Customers For …
Fox Squirrels – Denizens of the Longleaf Forest
Recently, I was touring a friend’s property in the Florida sandhills through beautiful older longleaf pines, with an open understory that is regularly burned. As we came around the corner, two fox squirrels bounded towards the nearest large pine. In a minute, both had found a tree they liked and were gone from sight. I don’t know about you, but …
Peanut Industry Hosts Reception for Congressional Peanut Caucus Members
Congresswoman Roby and Congressman Bishop co-chair Peanut Caucus The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association joined together to recognize members of the Congressional Peanut Caucus at a reception Dec. 5, 2017, in Washington, D.C. United States Congresswoman Martha Roby, R-Alabama, and Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Georgia, serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Peanut …
Dairy Producers Have Until Friday to Enroll for 2018 Coverage
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind dairy producers that this Friday is the deadline to enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating dairy producers when the margin, or the difference between the price of milk and feed costs, falls below the coverage level selected by the producer. MPP-Dairy …
Cargill Launches Fedbytrade Campaign
Cargill is launching a new campaign to provide stories that consumers can understand regarding how trade helps feed the world. The new initiative is called FedbyTrade, highlighting how companies are speaking up against the Trump Administration’s public criticisms of trade and the trade deficits. The campaign is designed to provide facts about trade and trade deals. Cargill is also encouraging …
Mend, Don’t End NAFTA
Officials from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will begin a technical round of meetings on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Monday. Top negotiating officials aren’t scheduled to be in Washington next week. They’ll appear at the next formal round of talks, which will be next January in Montreal. National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern …
Antibiotic Use in Livestock Drops
The Food and Drug Administration began keeping records on antibiotic use in livestock animals in 2009. For the first time since then, the agency says antibiotic usage dropped. Sales of medically important antimicrobials for livestock and poultry fell by ten percent in 2016. The decline actually took place ahead of new antibiotic usage requirements that became law in January. As …
Canadian Ambassador Optimistic on NAFTA Negotiations
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. says the target date of March as a finishing point to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations is very possible. He tells Bloomberg it’s possible if the three sides can overcome some sticking points, including U.S. demands for tougher auto quotas. David McNaughton tells Bloomberg he’s hopeful the deal with be done by …
Can Corn and Oil Live Together?
Oil-state Republican legislators met with President Trump on Thursday to discuss the Renewable Fuels Standard. They left with a directive from the president to figure out a compromise that would work out for both the oil and renewable fuels industries. Politico says Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe was one of the lawmakers who met with Trump. “The president wants us to …