Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made a plea to the Senate Ag Appropriations Committee in an effort to get help for the nation’s farmers and ranchers who are struggling. The committee met this week to review President Biden’s budget proposal for the Department of Agriculture. “I represented farmers during the 1980s as a small-town lawyer. I can tell you the pain. I can …
NPPC to Weigh in on EPA Formaldehyde Risk Assessment
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) will soon submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s toxicological review of formaldehyde. NPPC says formaldehyde is used in pork production for, among other things, preventing Salmonella infections in pigs and as a disinfectant. Pork industry-funded research has demonstrated formaldehyde’s potential as a mitigant for contamination of feeds with viruses such as African swine …
USMEF Details Impact of Ukraine War on Global Red Meat Industry
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently produced a video that details the impact of the war in Ukraine on the global red meat outlook and agriculture in general. USMEF Vice President of Economic Analysis, Erin Borror, details how it is impacting red meat and feed availability both short and long term. She discusses how the conflict is impacting global hog production …
Federal Wildlife Officials to Weigh Protections for Gopher Tortoises
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/April 26, 2022) — Federal wildlife officials will decide in the coming months whether increased protections are needed for gopher tortoises, as Florida looks for ways to move the animals out of the path of development. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Center for Biological Diversity reached a settlement Tuesday that will require the federal agency to determine …
Phase 1 NEPA Revisions Met with Criticism from Farm Groups
Last week, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced their final adjustments to portions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Several ag groups have raised concern about the Phase 1 NEPA revisions and the negative impact it will have on agriculture. The latest revisions would effectively reverse the amendments made in 2020, which was the first comprehensive update in …
Farm Groups Oppose Final NEPA Changes
Key farm groups are opposing the Biden Administration’s final phase 1 revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) affecting major infrastructure projects. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) say the revised NEPA rules are a step backwards and jeopardize the very projects the Biden Administration is promoting. Here is AFBF’s Shelby Hagenauer. …
USDA in Georgia Seeks Additional Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia had previously requested proposals to assist with the technical aspects of implementing key priorities in the state. Now, they’ve announced an additional opportunity to partner with likeminded natural resource conservation partners in Georgia to help provide outreach and education on USDA-NRCS programs. Conservation minded organizations who wish to apply should demonstrate …
March Ag Economy Barometer Dips Lower
The Purdue University CME Ag Economy Barometer dipped to a reading of 113 in March. That is the weakest farmer sentiment reading since May, 2020. The March reading went 12 points lower than a month earlier, and 36 percent lower than March, 2021. Compared to a year earlier, producers appraisal of current conditions was down 44 percent, while their expectrations …
CSP Signup Deadline in Georgia is Friday
Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on conservation efforts in Georgia are being reminded of a nearing deadline. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). And while they accept CSP applications year-round, Georgia producers and landowners need to apply by Friday, April 1 to be considered for funding in the current cycle.? Agricultural …
USDA Publishes Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy
(Release No. 0069.22/USDA/AMS/WASHINGTON, Mar. 29, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture published the highly anticipated Origin of Livestock (OOL) final rule for organic dairy. This change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers, by making sure that certified USDA organic dairy products are produced to the same consistent standard. “This …