USDA this week granted the first conditional license for a vaccine against Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) to Harrisvaccines of Ames, Iowa. The vaccine, utilizing Harrisvaccine’s SirraVaxSM RNA Particle Technology, had already been available by prescription only, but now the conditional approval allows it to be sold directly to swine producers battling PEDv. The vaccine is used on sows who … Read More
USDA PEDv Action Announced at WPX
This year was the first time Tom Vilsack visited World Pork Expo as Secretary of Agriculture and he did so to announce federal actions to help combat porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV). First of all, Vilsack says there is now a Federal Order requiring the reporting of new detections of these viruses to its Animal and … Read More
Dairies to See More Opportunities to Turn Waste to Energy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extends the deadline on a program that could see more farmers, especially those in the dairy industry, turning livestock waste into energy. The deadline to submit for funds under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and Dairy Industry Memorandum of Understanding has been extended to to May 31, 2013. During a teleconference moderated by … Read More
USDA to Fund Climate Studies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $19.5 million to support research, education and Extension activities associated with climate solutions in agriculture aimed at the impacts of climate variability and change on dairy and beef cattle. The University of Wisconsin (UW) in Madison, Wisconsin, received $9.9 million over five years to study the environmental impact of various dairy production … Read More
Studying Affects of Weather and Climate on Cattle
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $19.5 million to support research, education and Extension activities associated with climate solutions in agriculture aimed at the impacts of climate variability and change on dairy and beef cattle. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. The announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts … Read More
USDA Seeks Dairy Board Nominees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking dairy producer and importer organizations to nominate candidates to serve on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Nominations must be submitted by May 30, 2013. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint 14 individuals to serve on the board. The appointees will replace 12 board members whose terms expire Oct. 31, 2013, and … Read More
USDA and Dairy Industry Renew MOU
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today renewed a historic agreement with U.S. dairy producers to accelerate the adoption of innovative waste-to-energy projects and energy efficiency improvements on U.S. dairy farms, both of which help producers diversify revenues and reduce utility expenses on their operations. The pact extends a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. “Through this renewed commitment, USDA … Read More
USDA Seeks Grant Applications
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan is seeking applications for the latest round of USDA’s Farm to School grants. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and well-being of their students and connect with local agricultural producers. “USDA’s Farm to School grants connect schools with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses, providing new economic opportunities to food producers and … Read More
Troy Appointed to Dairy Board
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of a dairy importer member to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (Dairy Board). Susan M. Troy was newly appointed as a member to fill a vacancy. Her term is effective immediately and will expire on Oct. 31, 2013. The Dairy Board was established under the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of … Read More
Census of Agriculture to Survey Producers, including Dairy
This year was a pretty tumultuous one for many dairy producers across the country, especially with the way the drought impacted many operations. The USDA needs to get more information so it knows what’s happening on America’s farms. That’s why the 2012 Census of Agriculture forms will be hitting producers’ mailboxes very soon. “The Census of Agriculture will be dropped … Read More