U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation’s dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin … Read More
Poultry Industry Adds 477,000 Jobs
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, and United Egg Producers have made available an updated economic impact study that highlights the increased positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages and federal and state revenue in the United States. A dynamic and integral part of the national economy, from 2012 to 2014 … Read More
25th Pennsylvania Farm Show Butter Sculpture
A sculpture made from nearly 1,000 pounds of butter and showcasing a fundraising campaign for an innovative food bank milk program was unveiled at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The sculpture, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, is the 25th displayed at the show. It features the first-of-its-kind milk distribution program implemented by the two organizations and … Read More
Dairy Groups Share Support of US Ag Coalition for Cuba
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) joined other food and agricultural organizations in support of additional changes in U.S. policy to facilitate U.S. dairy exports to Cuba and permit open travel for all Americans to that nation. The dairy organizations are members of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, … Read More
Poultry Groups Oppose OFCCP Reporting Proposal
On Jan. 2, the Joint Poultry Industry Human Resources Council filed comments opposing the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) proposal to require federal contractors to submit yet another regulatory report, the so called annual “Equal Pay Report.” The OFCCP was originally created to enforce, for the benefit of job seekers and wage earners, the contractual promise of affirmative … Read More
Adding Value to Missouri's Beef
Earlier this week the Missouri Department of Agriculture hosted the inaugural Missouri Beef Summit. The event stemmed from a question Missouri Governor Jay Nixon asked Richard Fordyce, Missouri Director of Agriculture, soon after he was appointed. That question: What are we doing for beef in our state? Fordyce said. “We started to take an in depth look at where we … Read More
Nominations Open for 2015 Meat Industry Hall of Fame
Now celebrating their seventh year of honoring the best in their industry, the Meat Industry Hall of Fame is requesting nominations for Members of the Class of 2015. Eligible candidates must meet three key qualifications: – Candidates must have spent a significant portion of their professional careers in an industry-related field (animal agriculture, food processing, government, academia, retail) – Candidates … Read More
Dairy Challenge Revises Mission and Goals
The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC) board of directors recently conducted a strategic planning session, resulting in a revised mission and organizational goals. The revised mission statement now reads, “Develop tomorrow’s dairy leaders and enhance progress of the dairy industry, by providing education, communication and networking among students, producers, and agribusiness and university personnel.” “The new mission and goals … Read More
NFU Calls for Ban on Imports from FMD Areas
The National Farmers Union wants the U.S. to stop importing meat from areas with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This news release says the group has submitted comments to the federal government asking that it not allow meat to come in from Northern Argentina and Uruguay because of ongoing concerns with FMD. “Livestock health is critical to production agriculture and … Read More
Alliance Names New Communications Director
Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith announced the appointment of Hannah Thompson as the Alliance’s new Director of Communications. Prior to joining the Alliance, Thompson held a position in marketing with Farm Credit Mid-America in Louisville, Kentucky. Previously, she worked as a Staff Writer and Production Assistant for Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net. “Hannah brings … Read More