The USDA is currently working to help prepare the U.S. pork industry to respond if African Swine Fever (ASF) should be discovered in this country. Gary Crawford has the details. Dr. Barbara Porter-Spalding, with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, describes the workshop they held in January to help bring pork packing plants more into the ASF response …
House Agriculture Committee Hears About Food Insecurity in America
Written Testimony for the House of Representatives Committee on AgricultureA Look at Food Insecurity in AmericaMarch 11th, 2021Presented By:Zippy DuvallPresidentAmerican Farm Bureau Federation Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Zippy Duvall. I am a third-generation farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. I am pleased to offer this testimony on behalf of Farm Bureau …
Agriculture Included in New COVID-19 Relief Package
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, known as “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” is now official as President Biden signed the bill late last week. We’ve all heard how the package will include $1,400 stimulus checks for qualifying individuals, extends unemployment benefits, and more. But it also increases assistance through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And according …
USDA Delays Signup for CRP Grasslands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are postponing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup. While the original date to start this signup was mid-March, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will announce new signup dates in the coming weeks. The Biden Administration is currently evaluating the program and looking at ways to increase enrollment. CRP Grasslands was …
January U.S. Red Meat Exports Below Year-Ago Levels
According to information released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in January 2021 U.S. beef and pork exports opened the year below the large volumes posted in 2020. The data, compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), shows beef exports totaled 105,047 metric tons (mt) in January, down 2% from a year ago, while value slipped 3% …
Proposed Trich Rule Change Underway in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Animal Industries Division, under the direction of State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier, is responsible for various programs dealing with diseases and other issues with livestock in the state. One of those issues they’ve dealt with for some time now is Trichomoniasis in cattle. New rules concerning Trich were developed back in 2013, but Dr. …
AFBF President Testifies Before House Agriculture Committee
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall provided testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Climate Change and the U.S. Agriculture and Forestry Sectors. Here is his written testimony: Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, my name is Zippy Duvall. I am a third-generation farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and I am pleased to offer this …
Defending the Flock from Disease Outbreak
Bird Health Awareness Week has been taking place this week, as the event runs through February 26. And according to a story from Rod Bain, keeping poultry flocks safe from a disease outbreak requires the use of proper biosecurity measures, like those promoted through USDA programs. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle …
Native Legume for Improving Pastures in the Southern U.S.
Legumes are plants within the bean family capable of fixing nitrogen. Legumes can enhance conservation tillage systems, improve soil quality, reduce nitrogen requirements on row crops and pasture lands, enhance wildlife habitat, enhance pasture and hay land quality, and reduce soil erosion in cropland and critical areas. Warm and cool-season legume species produce high-quality forage and seed throughout the year …
Higher Feed Costs May Affect Meat Production
Several factors are expected to combine to cause a boost in beef, pork and broiler production this year. Gary Crawford has the details. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, …