Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will meet with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee Friday. Topics include current and new trade deals, trade agreement implementation and concerns within the agreements. The committee, managed by the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, offers advice on U.S. trade policy. The committee consists of six technical …
USDA Gathering Data on Feral Swine Damage to Livestock Operations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has announced they will be conducting a Feral Swine Livestock Damage survey to measure the costs of feral swine damage to livestock operations. The survey is conducted in cooperation with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services. Over 4,000 farms and ranches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and …
Cargill and Continental Grain Purchasing Sanderson Farms
Cargill and the Continental Grain Company Monday announced a joint-venture agreement to acquire Sanderson Farms, the third-largest poultry producer in the U.S. The all-cash purchase totals $4.53 billion, or $203 per share, a 30.3 percent premium to Sanderson Farms’ share price of $155.74 on June 18, 2021. Cargill and Continental Grain will combine Sanderson Farms with Wayne Farms, a subsidiary …
Study: U.S. Pork Industry Needs More Access to Foreign-Born Workforce
The U.S. pork industry has been noting the struggles many producers across the country are having when it comes to a shortage with labor. An updated study reflecting the current state of the labor market was released by Iowa State University economists, and it notes despite competitive wages, the U.S. pork industry continues to struggle with a labor shortage that …
World Champion Livestock Auctioneer to Be Featured In National TV Show
Back in June, Chuck Bradley of Rockford, Alabama was crowned the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, and this weekend he’ll receive statewide and national exposure with a feature on Simply Southern TV. The show will premiere locally on WBMA-TV 33/40 in Birmingham on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 6:30 a.m. and will be rebroadcast on national cable network RFD-TV next Wednesday at 3 …
Livestock Producers Can Apply for Pandemic Assistance
Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the COVID-19 pandemic due to insufficient access to processing are reminded they can apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. This is through USDA’s Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP). Eligible livestock must have been depopulated from March 1, 2020 through December 26, 2020. …
U.S. Regionalization Protocols Needed for ASF Situations
The confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic (DR) last week was the first in the Western Hemisphere in 40 years. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO, Dan Halstrom, says while the findings are concerning, the U.S. industry is well-prepared for these situations. Halstrom noted the DR is an outstanding market for U.S. pork and he does …
Producers Invited to Take Part in SE Hay Short Course
An expansion of the extension effort of the Southeastern Hay Contest has been announced. The University of Florida, University of Georgia and Auburn University forage teams are promoting a new event on hay production. It’s called the SE Hay Short Course, where producers and forage specialists from multiple states can take part in this inaugural event. Marcelo Wallau, assistant professor – forage extension …
National Farmers Market Week Underway
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture proclaimed this first week of August as National Farmers Market Week. It is a way to champion the direct-to-consumer producers, market managers, and customers that make their communities come alive during market days. According to a story from Rod Bain, highlights of the week are not only the markets themselves, but the innovations that allow these institutions to …
USDA to Help Heirs Resolve Land Ownership and Succession Issues
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $67 million in competitive loans through the new Heirs’ Property Relending Program. The program aims to help producers and landowners resolve heirs’ land ownership and succession issues. “While those affected are in all geographic and cultural areas, many Black farmers and other groups who have experienced historic discrimination have inherited heirs’ property,” Vilsack said. “USDA …