house

FSIS Removes Mask Mandate for Meat Processing Facilities

Dan Beef, Cattle, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats, USDA-FSIS

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) this (last) week removed mandatory mask requirements at federally inspected meat processing facilities. As of March 1, 2022, FSIS Notice 34-21 requiring masks was rescinded. FSIS-regulated establishments are no longer subject to suspension or withdrawal of inspection services for failure to require their employees to wear masks when FSIS inspection program personnel are …

partnership

Florida Lawmakers Discuss Veterinary Telemedicine

Dan Cattle, Equine, Florida, Legislative, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats

Week five of the Florida Legislative Session saw various issues discussed once again, but there is a bill that has been of interest to some in agriculture across the state. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what the bill is about and where it currently stands. The 60 day Florida Legislative session will run until March 11th.

Growers Discuss Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill

Dan Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Equine, Farm Bill, Field Crops, Fruits, Grapefruit, Hemp, Herbs, Legislative, Lemons, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Orange Juice, Pasture, Peanuts, Pecans, Pollinators, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, Vegetables, Wheat

The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire in 2023, so preparations are underway to craft the behemoth legislation into law sometime next year. However, it is common for negotiations to extend into the following year. Whether the new farm bill is passed in 2023 or 2024, there’s a lot of work ahead. The farm bill was the focus of …

ethanol industry

Secretary of Transportation on HOS Regulations for Livestock Haulers

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Equine, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats

Back in late November of last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced they had extended the waiver for commercial truckers from the Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulation until Feb. 28, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020 the FMCSA included livestock haulers in an initial emergency declaration that provided an exemption from the HOS regulation for …

A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer

A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer

Dan Alabama, Aquaculture, Beef, Beef, Cannabis, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Cover Crops, Dairy, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, General, Georgia, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC), Grapefruit, Hemp, Herbs, Industry, Labor and Immigration, Lemons, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Orange Juice, Organic, Peanuts, Pecans, Pollinators, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Seeds, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, Vegetables, Wheat

As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …

H-2A labor

New H-2A Labor Wages Effective Dec. 29

Dan Beef, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Dairy, Equine, Field Crops, Forestry, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Industry, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pecans, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Regulation, Sheep-Goats, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, Vegetables

A recent issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Dec. 29. H-2A workers are foreign agricultural workers who are allowed to work in the United States temporarily. In recent years, the vast majority of Florida citrus has been harvested by H-2A workers. The Employment and Training Administration …

West Coast ports

Port Problems Plague Producers

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Equine, Exports/Imports, Field Crops, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Livestock, Marketing, Nursery Crops, Organic, Peanuts, Pecans, Pollinators, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Seeds, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, Vegetables, Wheat

The ongoing supply-chain crisis is a big headache to businesses and consumers alike, with no end in sight for the immediate future. Perishable products are particularly at risk, as even a week or two delay can affect product quality. The port delays that caused the supply-chain crisis began on the West Coast with labor shortages due to the pandemic. These …

livestock

Challenges When Caring for Livestock in the Winter Time

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Equine, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats, This Land of Ours

How to care for Livestock in the winter time.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Winter can present challenges when caring for livestock, when it comes to protection, food, and care. Starting with their water source, you’ll need to regulate water temperatures to avoid freezing. Also, monitor the quality of the water. Is it muddy, dirty, or contaminated? …

pork exports

Report: U.S. Animal Protein Needs Trade Negotiators Back at the Table

Dan Beef, Cattle, Exports/Imports, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats

A report from CoBank shows animal agriculture needs trade negotiators at the table to build export markets. The report says the recent nomination of a chief agriculture negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is an important step forward. However, Elaine Trevino has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. U.S. animal protein exports have grown from $7.4 …

grain

Vilsack and Tai to Meet with USDA Ag Policy Committee

Dan Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Equine, Field Crops, Fruits, Grapefruit, Hemp, Lemons, Livestock, Marketing, Orange Juice, Peanuts, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Trade, Tree Nuts, Vegetables, Wheat

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 …