Many agriculture groups are concerned with USDA’s proposed changes to the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) final interim rule. The National Turkey Federation is concerned with two proposed regulations possibly upending contract relationships in place between turkey growers and processors. The USDA wants to Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida …
EPA Takes Action to Prevent Poisonings from Herbicide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing safety measures to stop poisonings caused by ingestion of the herbicide paraquat, which can also cause severe injuries or death from skin or eye exposure. Since 2000, there have been 17 deaths – three involving children – caused by accidental ingestion of paraquat. These cases have resulted from the pesticide being illegally …
Conaway Disappointed With USDA Midnight Rule-Making
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of three controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rules—one interim final rule and two proposed rules that will be open for a 60-day public comment period. The release follows a November 15th letter from Leader McCarthy and House Committee Chairmen cautioning the current Administration “against finalizing pending rules or …
Judge Sides with R-CALF against Beef Checkoff
A federal judge this week sided with R-CALF by recommending the Montana U.S. District Court grant a preliminary injunction request by R-CALF in a case involving the beef checkoff. The injunction would stop the Department of Agriculture from allowing the Montana State Beef Council to Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle …
Heitkamp Topping Trump Ag Secretary List
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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary …
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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research …
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 …