The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released a new report about India’s dairy sector. The report and research was conducted by Maurice Landes, Jerry Cessna, Lindsay Kuberka, and Keithly Jones. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk. Growth in milk supply and demand has been robust, but projections indicate that production targets will be difficult to reach … Read More
Bill Increases Access to Vet Care in Underserved Areas
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) welcomes the introduction of Senate bill 487, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act (VMLRPEA), by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). This bill will increase funding available for grants through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which implements loan forgiveness for veterinarians who commit to serving in federally designated … Read More
NPPC Elects New Leadership
The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and members to its board of directors. Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill., was elected president. Maschhoff is chairman of Maschhoff Family Foods and co-owner and chairman of The Maschhoffs. Jim Heimerl, of Johnstown, Ohio, was elevated to president-elect. Heimerl runs three farrow-to-finish farms in Ohio and 80 contract finishing … Read More
USDA Confirms Avian Flu in Commercial Flock in TN
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza (HPAI) of North American wild bird lineage in a commercial chicken breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States this year. The flock of 73,500 is located within … Read More
Late Doug Wolf Inducted Into NPPC Hall of Fame
The late Doug Wolf, a pork producer from Lancaster, Wis., was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) during the National Pork Industry Forum. Wolf, who died suddenly last July, was a partner in Wolf L&G Farms LLC, with his wife Kris and son Shannon. The farm includes a sow farrow-to-finish operation, a cow-calf … Read More
SMART Farmer Podcast with Chip Bowling
Our new SMART Farmer podcast episode features Maryland grain farmer Chip Bowling, vice chairman of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance who was recently in Panama with the U.S. Grains Council. He talks about his family farm, which is located almost in the shadow of the DC beltway, and how he uses the latest innovation and technology to be more … Read More
Animal Ag Cheers Ditch of WOTUS
The animal agriculture community are smiles this week as they revel in the news about President Trump’s executive action regarding the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule ordering the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider. John Starkey, president of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), said, “USPOULTRY is very pleased that the thousands of … Read More
Animal Ag Applauds Appointment of Trump Ag Advisor
Animal agriculture applauds White House appointment of Ray Starling, current chief of staff for Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., to the position of Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade and Food Aid. John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council said, “By picking a true champion of American agriculture to serve in this key advisory role, President Trump … Read More
Legislation Pushes New Labeling Laws for Soy, Almond Milk
Soy and almond milk producers may soon face new labeling laws if new industry-backed legislation, sponsored by a pair of dairy state lawmakers, attracts more support in Congress. The Dairy Pride Act, sponsored by Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Vermont Rep. Peter Welch, would enforce longstanding FDA definitions (CFR 131.110) that define milk. The new bill expands the definition of … Read More
Grassland Dairy Products Joins DSSA
Grassland Dairy Products has is the newest member of the Dairy Strong Sustainability Alliance (DSSA), a diverse group of partners who have come together to ensure that all touchpoints in the production of dairy foods are continuously improving. The goal of the alliance is to show tangible continuous improvements in animal care, environmental conservation, food safety and other practices through … Read More