Last week, the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced updates to the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) policies. RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy first runs through the updates scheduled to take effect next year for the LGM program. And Flournoy describes the updates to RMA’s Dairy Revenue Protection program. RMA is updating the livestock insurance policies to improve options …
NPPC Holding Legislative Action Conference
Pork producers from across the country are gathering virtually this week, taking part in the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Legislative Action Conference (LAC). Various topics are being discussed with lawmakers, including expanding market access to Vietnam, visa reform to address a livestock agriculture labor shortage, and foreign animal disease prevention. “Trade remains crucial to the continued success of the U.S. pork …
USDA Grant Program Needed for Local Meat Processors
The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging them to open applications for a grant program to help local meat processors. The legislation, authorized by Congress in December, set funding aside to improve capacity at local meat lockers, but CFRA says the agency has been slow to respond. In a letter to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, …
February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, But Outlook Remains Strong
The February red meat export numbers have been released, and according to the new data, exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in 2020. The numbers, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), indicates exports were consistent with projections and USMEF still expects 2021 beef exports …
Petition Asks EPA to Regulate Large Livestock Farms
Two dozen environmental and consumer groups are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate large dairy and hog farms under federal air pollution laws. Groups like the Sierra Club and the Government Accountability Project say in their petition that “The EPA has the duty and authority to regulate these methane super-emitters under the Clean Air Act as part of …
Feral Swine Control Program Launches in Alabama
Thanks to funding through the 2018 Farm Bill, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ASWCC) has launched a program to help property owners in certain areas of Alabama control feral swine. The Alabama Feral Swine Control Program, funded by a grant through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), allowed ASWCC to launch a three-year …
NPPC Applauds the Philippines’ Decision to Import More Pork
The Philippine government will provide more market access for pork imports to combat rising pork prices and stabilize supplies. Securing better access to the Philippines market has been a top, long-term priority for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). NPPC President Jen Sorensen says, “While we are saddened by the spread of ASF in the Philippines, we appreciate the opportunity …
Checkoff Dollars Important to USMEF Overseas Programs
The Beef and Pork Checkoff programs are national marketing and research programs designed to increase the demand for beef and pork products not only here in the U.S., but also abroad. One of the contractors to each of the checkoff programs is the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). And USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently told Southeast AgNet those dollars …
Deadline Nearing to Enter Animal Ag Alliance Contest
If you are a farmer or rancher who would like a free registration to take part in the Animal Agriculture Alliance 2021 Virtual Stakeholders Summit, then you might be interested in entering their photo/video contest. AgNet Media’s Danielle Leal has more information. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
UF Researchers Use AI Datasets to Track Feral Pigs, Minimize Disease Risk
University of Florida scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) to track feral hogs’ reproduction and how they spread pathogens on Florida’s grazing lands. Feral pigs cost the agriculture industry at least $1.5 billion in damage, disease, and control costs around the United States annually. They run rampant on large swaths of grazing lands. The swine root in the soil and …