Bob Ehart, senior policy and science advisor with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), spoke to farmers and ranchers during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show on the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). NASDA and AFBF simply want to ensure farmers have the tools needed to meet these … Read More
Pig Farmers Complying With New Antibiotic Rules
U.S. pig farmers are not only well aware of new federal rules for on-farm antibiotic use, they already are complying, according to a survey conducted by the National Pork Board in November. “The pork industry worked toward the Jan. 1 implementation date for nearly two years. There was a concern that some producers would not make changes until after the … Read More
NCBA, PLC Praise Effort to Curb Abuse of Antiquities Act
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council applaud the introduction of the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act, championed by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bill, which has 25 co-sponsors, would require congressional and state approval for the designation of any new monument. “Executive branch abuse of the Antiquities Act has moved … Read More
Dairy Strong Webinar: Cows Don’t Lie
Dairy Strong and Alltech hosted a cattle health webinar this morning in anticipation of next week’s Dairy Strong Conference, set to be held Jan. 18-19 in Madison, Wisconsin. The 1-hour session featured Tom Lorenzen, on-farm dairy specialist with Alltech. Lorenzen’s discussion focused on the profound impact a cow’s environment can have on her health, production, performance and your bottom line. … Read More
Dairy Groups Concerned with Proposed Changes in WIC
Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation, and Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of International Dairy Foods Association are concerned with the proposed changes in WIC from the National Academy of Sciences who is suggesting a major reduction in servings of milk. “The NAS Committee’s recommendations would undermine the nutritional value of the WIC program to … Read More
Dairy Groups Welcome New U.S. Trade Rep
Jim Mulhern, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and Matt McKnight, Senior Vice President of Market Access, Regulatory and Industry Affairs, U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) have released a statement on the selection of new U.S. Trade Representative. “America’s dairy farmers and processors welcome the opportunity to work closely with Robert Lighthizer as the new U.S. Trade Representative. … Read More
Livestock Groups Send Priorities to Trump Admin
Industry groups, including the Public Lands Council (PLC), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) have issued federal land management priorities for the incoming administration with the hope to bring responsible management and economic viability back to the Western landscape. “Ranchers and other multiple-use interests in the West have been subjected to an almost … Read More
Animal Ag Alliance Promotes Hannah Thompson-Weeman
The Animal Agriculture Alliance has promoted Hannah Thompson-Weeman to vice president of communications, effective January 1, 2017. In this position, Hannah will assume a greater management role over the communications outreach strategies for the Alliance, as well as the Alliance’s issues management initiatives and other program efforts. Thompson-Weeman joined the Alliance in December 2014 as director of communications and quickly … Read More
Animal Health Community Redefines Antibiotic Use on Farm
The FDA has announced the full implementation of new policies redefining how antibiotics are used to treat food-producing animals. As of January 1, antibiotics similar to those used in human medicine that are medically important will no longer be used to promote growth in animals. Antibiotics in farm animals will only be for the purpose of fighting disease under the … Read More
2017 Pork 101 Dates Set
The American Meat Science Association’s (AMSA) 2017 PORK 101 courses will be held May 23-25 at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and October 23-25 at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa. PORK 101 is hosted by AMSA in cooperation with the National Pork Board and is sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Attendees will experience anything from live animal … Read More