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 As of March 1, 2022, FSIS Notice 34-21 requiring masks was rescinded.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 ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement …
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 …
Breaking Down Sustainability in the Pork Industry
Sustainability is a term we hear quite a bit anymore. But some, especially consumers, may not understand exactly what that means. So, how might both consumers and producers better understand the concept of sustainability? Rod Bain reports that pork producers are working on ways to better communicate what sustainability means. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by …
Things that Humans Do that Horses Dislike
Some of the things that humans do that horses dislike. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Horses are hypervigilant. Any unfamiliar sound or object can spook them enough to throw someone, or rear up and flail around. Horses especially don’t like it when people approach from behind. Even the friendliest horses have been known to cause serious bodily …
Georgia Dept. of Ag Suspends Certain Poultry and Feathered Fowl Activities
All exhibitions, shows, sales (flea markets, auction markets), swaps, and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in Georgia are suspended until further notice. Notifications will be announced when listed activities can resume in Georgia. Although there have been no cases of avian influenza (AI) identified in commercial or domestic poultry in Georgia, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been …