Smithfield Partners with United Suppliers

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Conservation, environment, Food, Pork

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and United Suppliers, Inc., have collaborated to advance on-farm conservation practices and to use innovative precision agriculture tools across Smithfield’s sourcing regions in Iowa and Missouri. The goal is to work with farmers along all points of the food supply chain reducing fertilizer runoff, safeguarding the environment and ensuring farm productivity. “At Smithfield, we are committed to … Read More

House Ag Committee Holds Hearing On #WOTUS

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, Beef, environment, EPA, Government, legislation, NCBA, Water

The House of Representatives Agriculture Committee held a hearing today regarding the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) actions on the rural economy. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy was the hearing’s sole witness. The hearing showed a continued broad opposition to the controversial “Waters of the United States” Rule (WOTUS), which already is faced with a number of legal challenges … Read More

Maggie Creek Ranch Wins Environmental Stewardship

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, Audio, award, Cattle, Conservation, environment, NCBA, Ranches

Maggie Creek Ranch and the Searle family of Elko, Nevada, were recognized at the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention as the national winners of the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award, created to recognize ranchers for their commitment to outstanding land management practices which create healthy, balanced ecosystems. The ranch had worked in collaboration with several federal agencies and private partners like Trout … Read More

Environmental Stewardship Recognized at IPPE

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, award, environment, IPPE, Poultry, US Poultry

Five poultry farm winners and two finalists were recognized for their exemplary environmental stewardship by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) at the 2016 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The annual Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award is awarded at IPPE to family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production in acknowledgment of their commitment to environmental stewardship. “The … Read More

Dairy Methane Digester Study

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Dairy, dairy farming, environment, Methane

Dairy Care says dairy methane digesters are among the most cost-effective investments California has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help achieve the their climate change prevention goals, according to a new study by Ramboll Environ. The study examines how cap and trade auction proceeds are being invested by the California Air Resources Board. “Dairy anaerobic digesters are a … Read More

Omnibus Provisions To Impact Horse Industry

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, American Horse Council, Animal Health, Animal Welfare, APHIS, environment, Equine, Horse Protection Act, Horse Slaughter, legislation, Policy

The American Horse Council has announced that the Omnibus Appropriations Bill recently passed by Congress, which will fund government agencies and programs until the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016, contains several provisions that will directly impact the horse industry and industry professionals. A major provision includes reforms to the H-2B Temporary Non-Agriculture Worker Program, making the program … Read More

USPOULTRY Continues Series on Environment

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, environment, Poultry, US Poultry, Video

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) has released the fourth installment of their video series highlighting environmental stewardship on poultry and egg farms. The latest video will feature Meiring Poultry Farm of Ft. Recovery, Ohio one of USPOULTRY’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award winners. The 250 acre farm, owned and operated by Bill and Janet Knapke, offers four pullet houses … Read More

$40 Million to Help Ranchers Restore Sage Grouse Habitat

Jamie JohansenAg Group, environment, Government, Policy, Ranches

There will be $40 million available to help ranchers and other partners in 11 western states restore and protect sagebrush habitat for greater sage-grouse on privately-owned land. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said this investment is part of USDA’s four-year, $211 million Sage Grouse Initiative 2.0 through the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) partnership. The WLFW partnership uses seven focus species, … Read More

Environmental Group Makes Misleading Claims

Jamie JohansenAg Group, environment, Land, PLC

According to the Public Lands Council (PLC), the Center for Western Priorities released a study showing the economic benefits of the proposed Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument in Arizona. The study cited claims that a positive impact of $51 million from land management operations, grazing, mining, and forestry in addition to tourism would result from the designation. PLC President … Read More

EPA Launches Nutrient Recycling Challenge

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, environment, EPA, NAFB

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with pork and dairy producers, USDA, and environmental and scientific experts to host a competition to find technologies that can recycle nutrients from livestock waste and create valuable products. EPA agricultural counselor Ron Carleton was at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting last week to announce the Nutrient Recycling challenge. “To try to … Read More