Protecting Horses Against West Nile Virus. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Since 1999, more than 25,000 cases of West Nile Virus encephalitis have been reported in horses, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Department Head for Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Justin Talley, says West Nile Virus is spread by the …
Survey:Â Consumers Rely on Chicken Even as Inflation Affects Prices
A new survey presented by the National Chicken Council (NCC) and WATT Global Media shows while consumers average rating for their current financial situation is in the middle between “poor” and “excellent,” 87 percent are buying more or the same amount of fresh chicken now compared to six months ago. The study, presented this week during the 2022 Chicken Marketing Summit in …
USDA Starts Issuing Payments for Spot Market Hog Pandemic
The USDA is increasing the amount of funding available for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program and expects to issue approximately $62.8 million in assistance payments to producers this week. SMHPP assists eligible producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale between April 16 and September 1 in 2020. “In order to provide more targeted support to hog producers …
June Egg Production Drops Three Percent, Milk Up Slightly
The USDA says America’s egg production totaled 8.67 billion during June, a three percent drop from last year. Production included 7:39 billion table eggs and 1.28 billion hatching eggs. Of the hatching eggs, 1.19 billion were broilers and 89.4 million were egg-type. The average number of egg layers totaled 366 million in June, down four percent from last year. June …
New Ag Coalition Focuses on Bioeconomy
A new coalition of agriculture groups with a new focus. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Several industry associations launched the Ag Bioeconomy Coalition just days ago, to advance federal policy initiatives that foster growth toward a circular economy based on innovative products derived from agricultural commodities. Encompassing a broad range of technologies, the ag bioeconomy uses renewable, …
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Florida
(USDA-APHIS/WASHINGTON, July 22, 2022) — The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) in Seminole County, Florida. Samples from the flock were tested at the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, …
NCBA, NPPC among Ag Groups Supporting Beagle Brigade
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) are among a coalition of agricultural organizations calling for passage of the Beagle Brigade Act of 2022. The bill would authorize the National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains canines who are nicknamed the “Beagle Brigade.” NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs, Allison Rivera, said “The Beagle Brigade is crucial for …
Producers Continue to Embrace AWA Program
After its launch last spring, the American Wool Assurance (AWA) program is starting to make its mark on the domestic wool industry. Developed by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) in response to customer demand, this voluntary program provides peace of mind that certified wool is being produced through a high level of sheep care and management. More than 200 producers across …
USDA Investing in Historically Underserved Communities to Bolster Meat, Poultry Sector
Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an additional investment of more than $14 million to support agricultural workforce training in historically underserved communities that will increase the resilience of the U.S. meat and poultry processing sector. This investment is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts through the American Rescue Plan to strengthen the nation’s food supply chain by promoting …
New Report Highlights U.S. Pork Industry Contributions
This week, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released a new economic report that highlights how pig farmers in the U.S. are significant contributors to the agricultural and overall economy. The report highlights pork industry value chain contributions and growth over the past five years. “This report underscores how the pork industry is an important pillar to the U.S. economy and the positive ripple …