From the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association: MONTGOMERY, AL— Big Mike’s Steakhouse of Thomasville has been named the winner of the 2016 Alabama’s Best Steak contest. The Alabama’s Best Steak contest kicked off July 18 with a nominations round that generated votes for more than 140 Alabama restaurants. The eight most-represented restaurants moved on to compete in the “Elite 8” Facebook photo …
UF Experts Addressing Outbreak of New World Screwworm Fly in Florida Keys
by Tom Nordlie, UF/IFAS GAINESVILLE, Fla.: Responding to the announcement yesterday that the New World screwworm fly has been detected in Florida for the first time in a half-century, experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine are taking steps to educate ranchers, property owners and residents about the pest, and assist in …
New World Screwworm Confirmed in Big Pine Key
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Key deer from National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida. USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirms this is a local infestation of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). This is the first local infestation …
National Farm to School Month
Highlights Benefits to America’s Students and Communities by Deborah Kane, Director, Office of Community Food Systems, Food and Nutrition Service It’s National Farm to School Month and USDA’s Office of Community Food Systems is here to help…and not just in October! All year long, we offer research, grants, training and technical assistance to help connect child nutrition programs with local …
NCBA’s 2017 Redbook is Available
From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: A pocket-sized recordkeeping tool that has been used by cattle producers for more than 30 years to enhance profitability is now available for 2017. (Oct. 3, 2016) The Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Redbook from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association helps cattle producers effectively and efficiently record their daily production efforts. The 2017 Redbook has …
Fruit Fly’s Genetic Code Revealed
An international team of scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other research organizations have sequenced the complete genome of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. This pest attacks more than 260 fruit, vegetable and nut crops worldwide, causing billions of dollars annually in direct damage, export sanctions, lost markets, and other costs.
FDA Allows Peanuts to be called Healthy
From the National Peanut Board: Sept. 29, 2016 – ATLANTA – The Food and Drug Administration is now allowing peanuts to be called “healthy.” FDA announced on Wednesday that they are beginning the public process to redefine the “healthy” nutrient content claim for food labeling. In the interim, FDA has issued guidelines that allows industry to refer to peanuts as …
USDA Designates 9 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Sep. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 9 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. Those counties are: Baldwin, Bibb, Hancock, Houston, Jones, Peach, Taliaferro, Twiggs and Wilkinson Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Georgia also qualify …
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Holds Talks to Prevent Future Labor Delays
From the Georgia Department of Agriculture: Today, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black joined Senators David Perdue and Johnny Isakson for a listening session with the Department of Labor to discuss farm labor issues that adversely affected Georgia farmers last spring. “We are talking today about what we need to do now to ensure our farmers have
Congress Makes History, Ratifies Long-Awaited Treaty Tied to Global Food Security
From the American Seed Trade Association: Alexandria, Va.—September 29, 2016— Congress made history last night by passing a broadly supported Treaty to strengthen American agriculture and enhance global food security. First signed by President George W. Bush, and pending for nearly 15 years, the now ratified International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“The Treaty”) will ensure …