The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $55.2 million in competitive funding will be available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. The new program is being funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. “We are building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors and producers across the …
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Update
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) Animal Industry Division has confirmed Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) in domestic rabbits at a single Cobb County premise. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the virus and there are currently no other confirmed or suspect cases in Georgia. RHDV2 is a highly contagious Calicivirus that affects domestic rabbits, as …
Vilsack Weighs in on PSA Investigator Bill
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack weighed in this week on a bill to create a Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) investigator at USDA to boost price discovery and transparency in the highly concentrated livestock sector. He says a Packers and Stockyards Act investigator could be part of broader USDA action to deal with unfair market practices harming small independent producers. “I …
Sheep Producers Partner with USDA to Address 2020 Concerns
Despite numerous challenges last year, the sheep and wool industries found support and assistance through various USDA programs. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025
New Bill Addresses Anti-Competitive Practices in Meat Processing Industry
Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley joined fellow Republican Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, in introducing legislation on meatpacking. The bill would address the anti-competitive practices in the meat and poultry industries that threaten the nation’s food supply and national security. The legislation comes on the heels of a recent ransomware attack on JBS, one …
Expanding the Audience for Defend the Flock
The poultry industry is big business in both Alabama and Georgia. And according to a story from Rod Bain, the growing number of poultry producers in our nation also means an increased awareness effort in biosecurity measures, with a focus on new and young growers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember …
World Pork Expo Showcases Top Pork Priorities
World Pork Expo last week brought a highlight of pork industry priorities. The National Pork producers Council (NPPC) used the event to focus on the organization’s priorities in 2021. Those include the federal district court ruling striking down faster harvest facility line speeds. They are also challenging California’s Proposition 12, which is set to go into effect next year. It …
USDA to Begin Work to Strengthen Enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they will begin working on three proposed rules to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act, the 100-year old law that was originally designed to protect poultry and hog farmers and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in the meat markets. USDA’s pending action was noted in the …
Strong Momentum Continues for U.S. Beef and Pork Exports
Following that record-breaking March performance, exports of both U.S. beef and pork continued to build momentum in April, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). “Looking back at April 2020, it was a difficult month for red meat exports as we began to see COVID-related supply chain interruptions and foodservice demand took a …
Best Type of Hay to Buy Depends on the Animals Being Fed
The best type of hay to buy depending on the animals your feeding. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Animals can tolerate different types of hay. For example, Cattle vary a bit in what kind of hay they tolerate depending on their age. Lactating cows require high-protein hay. Younger calves might have a tough time with coarser hays, like …