U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a North Dakota Democrat, tops President-elect Donald Trump’s list to be the next Agriculture Secretary. The question remains, however, whether she will accept the post. Politico reports that if she leaves the Senate for the Department of Agriculture, Heitkamp will likely be giving up Sponsored ContentPropane Education and Research Council Shares Opportunities For Ag ProducersDecember 31, …
Funding for Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of up to $4 million for research to help federal regulatory agencies make science-based evaluations about the environmental effects of genetically engineered (GE) organisms including plants, animals, insects and microorganisms. This funding is made available through NIFA’s Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program. …
House Speaker Promises Regulation Relief in Next Congress
House Speaker Paul Ryan promises to provide regulatory relief during the next Congress. The Wisconsin Republican over the weekend used agriculture as an example of needing relief during a CBS 60 Minutes interview. He called regulatory relief his second priority, following a plan to repeal Obamacare. Ryan says he wants to have “smarter regulations” that can help grow jobs. He …
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Wisconsin Dairy Bull Calves
The Centers for Disease Control has linked a multi-state salmonella outbreak of a multidrug-resistant salmonella strain to dairy bull calves from livestock markets in Wisconsin. The CDC says it is working with Wisconsin health and agriculture agencies, along with several other states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to investigate the outbreak. Sponsored ContentPropane Education and Research Council Shares Opportunities …
Drought Impacting Georgia Cattle Producers
Georgia farmers are experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent memory, and some are warning there could be a potential repeat next year. In a story by Clint Thompson with the University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the drought has already made life difficult for cattle producers, especially in the Northern part of the state. UGA …
Florida Forest Service Alerts Public to Heightened Wildfire Danger
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are urging the public to use caution with all outdoor fires due to increased wildfire danger levels throughout the state. Dry conditions have sparked wildfires in many areas of the state recently and have threatened 20 …
Florida and Georgia FFA Members Receive National Awards
The 89th National FFA Convention and Expo has wrapped up in Indianapolis and during the event the National Agricultural Proficiency Awards were handed out as eight members from Florida and Georgia were recipients. From the National FFA Organization: Sponsored ContentPropane Education and Research Council Shares Opportunities For Ag ProducersDecember 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, …
Sommet de L’Elevage – Europe’s Largest Livestock Summit Welcomes International Visitors
My recent trip to Clermont-Ferrand, France to attend and cover the Sommet de L’Elevage was both enlightening and enjoyable. Although a very busy week, going back to my roots as an on-the-scene reporter for the event, what made it especially enjoyable was the hospitality of the French people and all of the farm producers I have grown to know in …
What Implementation of GIPSA Rules Would Mean for Cattle Marketing
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) recently sent three rules related to the buying and selling of livestock and poultry to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. But, there are some concerns in the livestock industry about these rules, including those raised by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA …
Georgia Middle School Named Top FFA Chapter
From the National FFA Organization: INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization named its top chapters today during the 89th National FFA Organization & Expo. Outstanding Middle School: Madison County Middle FFA of Georgia Model of Excellence: Yelm FFA of Washington Student Development: Bullard FFA of Texas Chapter Development: Omak FFA of Washington Community Development: …