The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging them to open applications for a grant program to help local meat processors. The legislation, authorized by Congress in December, set funding aside to improve capacity at local meat lockers, but CFRA says the agency has been slow to respond. In a letter to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 4-9-2021
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended April 9, 2021, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ending April 9, 2021, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,800 head compared to 10,090 last week and …
Florida House and Senate Pass Individual Budgets
Week six of the 2021 Florida Legislative Session saw action on the state budget, as both the House and Senate passed their individual budgets. According to the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, there are some differences to be worked out. (audio) But as lawmakers head to conference to piece together a new spending plan, they are looking …
February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, But Outlook Remains Strong
The February red meat export numbers have been released, and according to the new data, exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in 2020. The numbers, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), indicates exports were consistent with projections and USMEF still expects 2021 beef exports …
Petition Asks EPA to Regulate Large Livestock Farms
Two dozen environmental and consumer groups are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate large dairy and hog farms under federal air pollution laws. Groups like the Sierra Club and the Government Accountability Project say in their petition that “The EPA has the duty and authority to regulate these methane super-emitters under the Clean Air Act as part of …
NCBA Welcomes Preserving Family Farms Act
House lawmakers recently introduced the Preserving Family Farms Act of 2021, a priority for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA has long supported efforts to reduce tax burdens on farmers and ranchers. This bipartisan legislation to expand IRS Code Section 2032A would allow cattle producers to take advantage of the Special Use Valuation and protect family-owned businesses from the impact …
Checkoff Dollars Important to USMEF Overseas Programs
The Beef and Pork Checkoff programs are national marketing and research programs designed to increase the demand for beef and pork products not only here in the U.S., but also abroad. One of the contractors to each of the checkoff programs is the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). And USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently told Southeast AgNet those dollars …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Holding Youth Field Day
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) invites youth across the state to take part in the 2021 Spring Youth Production Field Day. ACA Director of Field Services, Morgan Desselle, says the April 17th event is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.  More information about the 2021 Spring Youth Production Field Day and the registration form can be found on the ACA website. Sponsored ContentFlorida …
2021 FCA Convention Registration is Open
Registration for the 2021 Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Convention is underway, as the annual event will be held June 15-17, 2021 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. While the FCA Staff and volunteer leaders look forward to seeing everyone in Marco Island, there are a few things they want to bring to your attention. Due to COVID-19 guidelines and …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 4-2-2021
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended April 2, 2021, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended April 02, 2021, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,000 head compared to 10,734 last week and …