By Jaci Schreckengost With 2018 farm bill provisions being discussed, many growers are interested in telling their stories about how certain portions of the bill have either helped or hurt them in the past. At the inaugural Florida Organic Growers (FOG) Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit in Gainesville, a workshop was held to discuss what is currently in the …
FMD Language Included in Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act approved last week includes language to require an analysis on Foot and Mouth Disease or FMD. Language included in the bill by Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst includes a provision “recognizing the risk of FMD, or other foreign animal diseases, to U.S. food production, the economy, and national security,” according to the Senator. The provision …
Cattle Producer Prepares for Sommet de l’Élevage in France
The Sommet de l’Élevage is holding its 26th annual event, October 4–6, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The event is the European Union’s (EU) largest livestock exposition, featuring competitions and a tradeshow. This year, the Sommet is especially exciting for U.S. cattle producers because, for the first time ever, Americans have been invited to the event. Reneé Strickland of Strickland Ranch and …
Livestock Guard Dog
Cathy Isom tells us about the livestock guard dog — a primary tool you should not do without when raising livestock. That’s coming up on “This Land of Ours.” The loss of livestock to predators is, unfortunately, a major problem. The USDA recently reported about 170,000 sheep are lost to predators each year in the United States — …
NRCS Reminder of Programs Helping with Irma Recovery Efforts
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Irma, that they have programs which can that provide assistance. This includes the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Retail Meat Prices Slip Lower in August
Consumer prices for meat decline 0.4 percent in August, compared to figures compiled in July. A monthly report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows overall U.S. meat prices for consumers were lower on softer prices for beef roasts and ham. August prices fell 2.1 percent on beef roasts, 1.5 percent on beef steaks and 0.1 percent on ground beef. …
China Poultry Safety Standard Similar to U.S.
The Department of Agriculture last week quietly released an audit report of China’s inspection system for poultry processing. The audit says China’s system is equivalent to U.S. systems and standards. The Food Safety and Inspection Service performed the audit last year. USDA released the report one month after the comment period closed on a proposed rule that will allow China …
UF Researchers to Use Grant to Help Stop Influenza
University of Florida researchers will use a $2.7 million National Institutes of Health grant to study whether they can harness an unusual type of immune cell in pigs to treat and prevent influenza viruses in animals and humans. Although “natural killer T” – or NKT cells — are very rare, they can be very powerful and can stimulate immune responses …
NPPC Seeking ELD Waiver
The National Pork Producers Council Tuesday petitioned the Department of Transportation for a waiver and exemption for livestock haulers from regulations that NPPC says could harm animal well-being. The petition was filed on behalf of the pork industry and other livestock sectors and requests the waiver and exemption because of concerns about the Electronic Logging Device Rule. The petition also …
Florida Livestock Markets Closed Next Week Due to Hurricane Irma
According to information from the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Association of Livestock Markets (FALM) will close all 9 livestock markets in Florida next week on their regular sale days, September 11, 12, and 13, due to Hurricane Irma. But, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Quality Replacement Heifer sale is still scheduled to be held Friday, September 15th at the Arcadia …