The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) kicked off a media and advertising campaign that will shine a spotlight on how grazing on public lands helps to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The campaign will be centered around a new website, GrazingPreventsWildfires.com, and will run through May. “Coming off the wet winter we had … Read More
Livestock Groups Detail Disease Prevention at Farm Bill Hearing
The National Turkey Federation, along with 65 major animal agriculture groups, animal science organizations and veterinarians have united behind a new Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention Program, urging Congress to include this program in the 2018 Farm Bill. Andy Snider of Michigan Turkey producers who will testify during the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill field hearing Saturday morning at Michigan … Read More
Animal Proteins – Focus for Branstad as China Ambassador
The longest serving governor in the country will be drawing on his agricultural trade experience and 30 year friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China. During his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad was asked by Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) what he will do to get more … Read More
New Forage Seed Mixture Benefits Bees & Livestock
In response to America’s urgent needs to protect pollinators and to support sustainable livestock farming, Grassland Oregon, a leading seed research and development company, has introduced a new seed mixture called Pastures for Pollinators. Proceeds from the sales of Pastures for Pollinators will be donated to further sustainable agriculture research programs. “We have put together a great formula with a … Read More
Dr. Grandin to Speak at Sterling College Butchery Course
The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College is offering the course “Ethical Slaughter and Butchery” for those looking to explore how to safely, ethically, and humanely bring livestock from the field to the table. This five-day course, held June 19-23, 2017, will combine dialogue, presentations, and debate with observational slaughter and hands-on butchery of several species of … Read More
Novus Awarded Highest OSHA Honor
The Little Rock feed supplement production plant operated by Novus International, Inc. was recognized for exceptional health and safety management with a special ceremony on April 13, 2017. The Novus facility was presented with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program’s highest honor, the VPP Star Certification. “This is something we’ve been working toward for years,” said … Read More
Sustainable Innovation on Dairy Farms
Elanco Animal Health’s seminar at the Central Plains Dairy Expo highlighted the role of innovation in the dairy industry. Dr. Roger Cady, Global Sustainability Lead, Scientific Affairs & Policy for Elanco talked about the positive impact of innovation on the I-29 Dairy Corridor which includes Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. “Producers along the I-29 Corridor are recognized as leaders … Read More
GIPSA Delays Effective Date of Interim Final
The USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) announced that it is delaying the effective date of the Scope of Sections 202 (a) and (b) of the Packers and Stockyards Act Interim Final Rule until October 19, 2017. They also announced they are asking the public to comment on four possible actions USDA should take in regards to the … Read More
USDA Authorizes Emergency CRP Grazing After Wildfires
The USDA, acting in response to a directive from President Donald J. Trump, has authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands located in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas who were most heavily impacted by wildfires in March. USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young issued a memorandum authorizing the emergency grazing of cattle by ranchers, who are facing the … Read More
SMART Pig Farmer Lauren Schwab
This edition of the SMART Farmer podcast comes from National Ag Day in Washington D.C. last week where USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching representative Lauren Schwab talked about SMART Farming on her families breed-to-wean farm in Ohio. Lauren, who is known as FarmGirlWCurls on Twitter and Facebook, loves sharing her love of piglets on social media and educating non-farmers … Read More