Federal guidance suggests essential workers should be next to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including meat packers and farm workers. A Centers for Disease Control advisory committee voted in favor of a blueprint for essential workers and people older than 75 as recipients of the vaccine in the next phase. In a news release, North American Meat Institute President and CEO …
NCC Praises Inclusion of Support for Contract Chicken Farmers in COVID Stimulus Package
Washington, D.C. (December 21, 2020) – The COVID-19 stimulus bill agreed upon today contains language that would authorize USDA to provide up to $1 billion in assistance to contract chicken growers for revenue losses sustained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is earmarked specifically for contract growers of livestock and poultry to cover up to 80% of …
240,000 Chickens Die in Florida Fire
At least 240,000 chickens died early on Thursday morning when a fire roared through two barns in Florida owned by one of the nation’s largest distributors of eggs. The New York Times says the fire was reported at 1 a.m. by workers at the Cal-Maine Foods Facility in Dade County, Florida. Both barns destroyed by the fire contained two large …
Ag Groups Applaud Regan Nomination to Head EPA
(NPPC) — President-Elect Joe Biden on Thursday nominated Michael Regan as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Regan most recently led the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The following statement may be attributed to National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Howard “AV” Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. “NPPC congratulates Michael Regan on his nomination. …
Ranchers Ready To Work With Tom Vilsack As USDA Secretary
(PLC) — The Public Lands Council (PLC) released the following statement in response to the expected nomination of Tom Vilsack as the next U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary: “Livestock producers have a long history of working with Former Secretary Vilsack at the Department of Agriculture. Few have the breadth and depth of experience he has in facing issues confronting multiple …
Treatment Introduced by Researchers to Prevent Parasites in Sheep
(USDA/ARS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) announced a groundbreaking treatment that prevents anemia, weight loss, poor wool and meat production, and even death in sheep. ARS researchers partnered with Virginia Tech and the University of Massachusetts’ Medical School to solve H. contortus parasite infection, which also happens to be the number one health problem in the U.S. sheep industry. …
NCC Congratulates Georgia Congressman David Scott on Being Elected Chairman of House Agriculture Committee
(NCC) — Congressman David Scott (D-GA) was chosen as the next chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress, overwhelmingly elected by the full House Democratic caucus. “On behalf of the chicken industry, I want to congratulate Congressman Scott on being named the next Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a historic achievement as the first African American and …
U.S. Poultry Industry Provides 2.1 Million Jobs
Economic Impact Up 15 Percent in Two Years Updated study quantifies the economic impact of the poultry industry in the United States NCC — The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, and United Egg Producers have released an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, …
New UF/IFAS App to Identify Toxic Plants
(UF/IFAS) — Some livestock, pets and even children occasionally nibble on poisonous plants, presenting a potential pitfall to the animals and youth. Now, a new, free app designed by UF/IFAS researchers and Extension faculty helps you identify toxic plants. Not only is this the first app to identify strictly Florida plants, it’s also the first to distinguish between toxic weeds. …
APHIS Reopens Comment Period on Request to Produce FMD Vaccine
(USDA/APHIS) — In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sought public comment on a petition from a vaccine manufacturer seeking approval to produce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine consisting of a modified non-infectious and non-transmissible strain of the virus on the U.S. mainland. Today (12/1/2020), APHIS is reopening the comment period for …