USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia invites small and beginning livestock and forage producers to participate in a virtual workshop being held September 23rd. The event, being conducted through Team Agriculture Georgia and USDA in Georgia, will run that day from 9am-11am. The propose of the workshop is to introduce participants to conservation minded practices for all types of livestock and …
Forage Basics: From the Pasture to Your Phone
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) is offering another ground-breaking online learning opportunity. Forage Basics, the newest online course, will serve as a valuable new tool for livestock and forage producers. The program is the first course to provide targeted information about forage production and management in the Southeast. Leanne Dillard, the project leader and an Alabama Extension forage specialist, said that …
NPPC Asks Congress to Address Agricultural Labor Shortage
With a scheduled vote in the U.S. House set for Monday, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is calling on Congress to include in a budget reconciliation bill language to expand the existing H-2A visa to year-round agricultural workers. Like many sectors of the economy, the U.S. pork industry is faced with a severe labor shortage. But even before the …
New White House Report Outlines Problems with Meat Industry Concentration
According to a new report from the White House, President Biden understands that families have been facing higher prices at the grocery store recently. And half of those recent increases are from meat prices, specifically, beef, pork, and poultry. While factors like increased consumer demand have played a role, the price increases are also driven by a lack of competition at …
AFBF Urges USDA to Address Supply Chain Issues
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack detailing a list of solutions to address critical supply chain issues facing America’s farmers and ranchers. AFBF detailed seven priorities for USDA to consider in response to President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains. Recommendations they ask USDA to consider action on include: Livestock markets …
Protect Against the COVID-19 Delta Variant
If you would have asked us last September if there would still be a need to write a tip about COVID-19 a year later, our answer would have been, “We sure hope not.” So, what’s changed? The simplest explanation is the emergence of the Delta variant. When you hear us talk about food safety, we don’t often talk about variants. …
Red Meat Producers See Great Growth Potential in Latin America
More than 130 red meat buyers from 21 countries across Central and South America and the Caribbean gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica, for the 10th anniversary edition of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Latin American Product Showcase. Joe Schuele has more details. More details on the Latin American Product Showcase are available on the USMEF website. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets …
NASDA Calls on USDA to Protect Diversity of Meat Processing
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has expressed its recommendations for a resilient, diverse and secure meat processing system. Specifically, NASDA commented that flexible funding for solutions to workforce shortages and processing infrastructure investments for small to mid-sized meat processing facilities is critical to ensuring our food system is built to handle future challenges. Twenty-seven state departments of agriculture …
Hours-of-Service Exemption for Livestock Haulers Extended
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced Tuesday they’ve extended the exemption from hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for livestock haulers. This extension comes after consistent advocacy by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), who says livestock haulers continue to need the flexibility for the well-being of livestock during hauls, and to keep grocery stores stocked with beef during the continued disruption of …
John Deere Hay and Forage Equipment Delivers
When it comes to hay and forage equipment, John Deere has years of field experience to create equipment that delivers what you need. Chase Millam, marketing manager for hay and forage at John Deere, talked with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman during the recent Cattle Industry Convention. They discussed a couple of pieces of equipment, including something brand new, the W235R Windrower (W235R …