The USDA reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in South Dakota and Maryland over the weekend, adding concerns that wild birds are still spreading the disease across the U.S. Farmers have to kill their flocks after the disease gets detected, and Mexico, China, and Korea have imposed state-specific import restrictions in response. The losses come at the same time …
Hay and Cattle in Drought
Drought coverage continues to expand to record, or near record, levels in the U.S. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses drought coverage for hay and cattle production areas in the country as of March 1st. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future …
Support to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $215 million in grants and other support are being made available to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. As Rod Bain reports, this funding opportunity is one of many actions that USDA is taking to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and …
FSIS Removes Mask Mandate for Meat Processing Facilities
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) this (last) week removed mandatory mask requirements at federally inspected meat processing facilities. As of March 1, 2022, FSIS Notice 34-21 requiring masks was rescinded. FSIS-regulated establishments are no longer subject to suspension or withdrawal of inspection services for failure to require their employees to wear masks when FSIS inspection program personnel are …
Meat Production and Price Forecast for 2022
While 2021 was a record year for U.S. meat and poultry production, some wonder if 2022 production can even approach the record the levels set last year. Rod Bain has a story looking at that and what price producers might receive for their products this year. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To …
Iowa Confirms Avian Flu in Poultry Flock
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) this week confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The virus was found in a non-commercial, backyard poultry flock in Southwest Iowa. The state’s Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says, “We are working with USDA and other partners to implement our plans and protect the …
Signup Deadline Extended for Spot Market Hog Pandemic Assistance
The deadline for pork producers to submit applications for the USDA Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) originally was today, February 25th. But, the signup has been extended until April 15th. The program assists producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale between April 16 and September 1 of 2020. USDA notes that during those months, producers faced the …
$215 Million Committed to Enhance the Rural American Food Supply Chain
Department Will Make Available $215 Million for Projects That Will Promote Competition and Increase Resiliency and Create Economic Opportunity in Rural America (USDA/WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2022) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making available up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply …
USDA/APHIS Finds Avian Influenza in Maine and Delaware
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a non-commercial backyard flock in Maine. Samples from the flock were tested at the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. …
USDA-NRCS Investing in Partner-Driven Conservation on Ag and Forest Land
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida and Georgia reminds conservation partners that up to $225 million in funding is being made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The partner-driven program leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. This year’s funding announcement includes opportunities for projects that address climate change, benefit …