It’s time to be thinking turkey. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. With Thanksgiving just under three weeks away, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) shared helpful tips for Americans shopping for a turkey and preparing the Thanksgiving meal. NTF highlighted the robust availability of turkey products featured at retailers nationwide as well as its updated Thanksgiving 101, a comprehensive …
Scientists Working on Prevention of Cattle Pinkeye
Scientists are working to prevent a common health issue in cows. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Cattle pinkeye is a very contagious eye infection that causes redness, itchiness, pain, and discomfort in the eyes of affected animals. Severe cases can result in blindness and impair weight gain in calves, and thus are a concern for animal well-being …
USDA Opens 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum Registration
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently opened registration for the 99th Agricultural Outlook Forum. The 2023 event is back in person, held February 23-24, at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. Additionally, all sessions will be live-streamed, and participants can attend the event in person or virtually. Registration is required for both virtual and in-person attendance, however, there …
Culver’s Launches Farmer Appreciation Contest
A restaurant chain is honoring farmers. That’s coming up in This Land of Ours. Culver’s this week launched “To Farmers With Love,” a farmer appreciation contest. The contest is an opportunity for individuals to nominate a farmer in their life to win a generous prize package as part of Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project. Fifteen winning farmers will receive a …
Funding to Increase Meat Processing Capacity Will Benefit Southeast
Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $73 million in 21 grant projects through the first round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). The funding will expand meat and poultry processing capacity, which in turn increases competition, supports producer income, and strengthens the food supply chain to lower costs for working families and create jobs and economic …
Thanksgiving Turkeys May Be Smaller This Year
We’re officially into November and thoughts are turning to Thanksgiving. Will there be enough turkeys to go around this year? That’s coming up on This Land of ours. The avian influenza outbreak has had an impact on poultry supplies, but USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says there will be enough turkeys for Thanksgiving. “In terms of people being able to get …
Farmers Say Cover Crops Are On 40 Percent of Cropland
A look at how farmers are using cover crops. That’s coming up on This land of Ours. A new USDA survey says cover crops are more popular than first thought. Growers who responded to the survey say they’re using cover crops on 40 percent of their cropland in 2022. Successful Farming says that hints at a sizable increase from the …
Genetically Engineered Crop Acreage Grows
A look at genetically engineered crops. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Economic Research Service says genetically engineered seeds were commercially introduced in the U.S. for major field crops in 1996, and adoption rates increased rapidly. By 2008, more than 50 percent of U.S. corn, cotton, and soybean acres were planted with genetically engineered seeds. The total …
U.S. Railway Strike Looming
Reports are saying a U.S. railway strike is imminent after the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen union voted last week against ratification of the National Tentative Agreement reached on September 15. Just over 60% of their voting members voted not to approve. The BRS negotiated this round of bargaining as a member of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) and later the United Rail …
Mississippi River Water Levels Remain at Near-Record Low
Low water levels continue to lead to shipping problems. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Mississippi River has 27 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gages reporting levels below the low water threshold category as of Thursday. A new record-low level was reported in Memphis, Tennessee, beating the previous record set in 1988. The low water levels are a …