poultry processing plant

Small Processor’s Action Plan Aims To Improve Aspects Of Livestock Processing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching a new initiative aimed at strengthening America’s meat and poultry processing sector, with the goal of creating more opportunities for livestock producers and increasing competition throughout the supply chain. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced the department’s new Small Processor Action Plan, which is designed to reduce regulatory burdens, improve access to technical …

SNAP payment

SNAP Error Rate Percentages Higher Than Expected

The U.S. The Department of Agriculture recently released the annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program payment error rates. These rates are a measure of how accurately states determine eligibility for SNAP. According to a press release from the USDA “The national payment error rate for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is 10.62%, far surpassing the congressional threshold of 6%. While this is …

ncba president

NCBA President Shares Thoughts on Upcoming Meeting and NWS

At the recent Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention, Southeast AgNet was able to catch up with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President, Gene Copenhaver. Copenhaver commented on the upcoming NCBA meeting. Here is what Copenhaver had to say. “Our summer business meeting is July 12th through the 14th and at that meeting it’s not as quite as big as our cattle …

Brooke Rollins

Secretary Brooke Rollins Speaks at Texas Town Hall Meeting on NWS

In a recent post on X, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins reflected on a Gillespie County, Texas town hall meeting focused on protecting America’s livestock with an emphasis on NWS protection. Over 1,000 ranchers and key partners were in attendance. Rollins said on the post “We discussed our combined unprecedented response, our investments in surveillance and preparedness, and the historic …

New World Screwworm

USDA Announces Funding for 40 Break Through Projects to Combat NWS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced funding for the 40 Breakthrough projects in an effort to defend against New World Screwworm. Through the program proposals will receive a combined total of $105 million. According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website this funding will be used “to sharpen detection, accelerate control and eradication tools, and strengthen …

research

Secretary Rollins Announces $125 Million Annual Investment into Agriculture Research Facilities

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently held a roundtable discussion where they announced the implementation of the FY2026 Funding Opportunity for Research Facilities Act program. According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts provided $125 million annually for the Research Facilities Act program, …

rollins

Secretary Rollins Provides Update on NWS Efforts From Infested Zone in Texas

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was in one of the New World Screwworm infested zones last week and provided an update on the efforts so far to address this pest. “Continue to note that our food supply is completely safe. There’s no compromising of that. Our great American beef, this is an issue. It is a pest that we will continue …

Special Envoy

Special Envoy For Landowners Appointed By President Trump

President Donald Trump has appointed John Rich as Special Envoy for American Landowners. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “As Special Envoy, Rich will serve as a leading advocate for America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners, helping ensure their concerns are heard and their rights are protected. He will engage directly with landowners across the country and work to …

Hassey Brooks

Trump Appoints Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness

President Donald Trump has appointed a new Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness. John Bellinger has been appointed in this role and according to USDA, “will integrate into USDA’s team to help further drive its robust effort to explore all available technologies to combat the New World Screwworm.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “I want to thank …

Small Processors Action Plan

Additional Funding Opportunity For Small Meat and Poultry Plants Announced

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Small Processors Action Plan last week to “better support small and very small meat and poultry processing plants, improve customer service, and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining strong food safety protections for consumers.”  Secretary Rollins said, “Today’s announcement marks another step toward rebuilding our domestic beef industry, the actions contained in …