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
Mycotoxins High in 2016 Alltech Canada Harvest Analysis
The Alltech® Mycotoxin Management team analyzed corn, spring wheat, barley and triticale samples from across Canada as part of the 2016 Alltech Canada Harvest Analysis. The results indicated a high risk for the presence of mycotoxins in total mixed rations (TMR), distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and silage. On average, 3.8 different mycotoxins were present in the TMR and … Read More
President Claims More Acres Through Antiquities Act
The Public Lands Council (PLC) reports that the Obama administration on Tuesday declared two new monument designations – 1.35 million acres at Bears Ears in Utah and 350,000 acres at Gold Butte in Nevada. Both designations were made unilaterally and despite overwhelming local opposition. PLC President and Utah rancher Dave Eliason criticized the outgoing administration for both their disregard for … Read More
New Solution for Veterinary Feed Directive Management
New Planet Technologies, Inc. and Micro Technologies, announced a new partnership that would integrate New Planet’s cloud-based RxExpress solution with Micro Technologies innovative computerized systems to safely and accurately track and manage feed-grade Veterinary Feed Directives (VFD). As of January 1, 2017, new U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations will become effective, requiring VFDs to be issued by a licensed … Read More
Smithfield Foods Adopts Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal
Smithfield Foods, Inc. is the first major protein company to announce a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal throughout its entire supply chain. By 2025, they will reduce their absolute GHG emissions by 25%. This goal will reduce emissions by more than 4 million metric tons. Smithfield collaborated with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in setting its goal. “We are proud to … Read More
NCBA & PLC Say BLM Released Flawed Planning Rule
The Bureau of Land Management has released a final version of BLM planning 2.0. Ethan Lane, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association federal lands said this process radically alters federal land management planning and moves the agency away from its mandate to manage for multiple use on federal lands. “We are continuing to review … Read More
Proposed Tax Regulation Threaten Multigen Cattle Operations
The Internal Revenue Service hosted a public hearing this week on a Department of Treasury proposed rule that would eliminate or greatly reduce available valuation discounts for family-related entities. Kevin Kester, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association vice president, said the regulation would effectively discourage families from continuing to operate or grow their businesses and passing them on to future generations. Many … Read More
Protect Your Farm & Demonstrate Transparency
Over the last ten years, the Animal Ag Alliance have sent representatives to animal rights conferences to listen and to learn about trends, campaigns planned and tactics intended to be deployed. The Alliances’s President and CEO, Kay Johnson Smith, was on-hand at NAFB’s Trade Talk to talk about current and historical trends in animal rights activism and how the agricultural … Read More
Sheep Industry Update From #NAFB16
One of the bright spots in the commodity markets as we wrap up 2016 comes from sheep. NAFB’s Trade Talk gives voice to ag businesses and commodity groups each year. The sheep industry was well represented again this year with the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the American Lamb Board. “It’s trending downward as you see that seasonality, which … Read More
Ag Leaders Unite for Inaugural Sustainable Ag Summit
More than 500 farmers, retailers and other stakeholders in agriculture gathered for the inaugural Sustainable Agriculture Summit, co-hosted by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, held last week in Atlanta, GA. For several years, dairy has brought together representatives of the full dairy chain – from farmer to retailer – to discuss opportunities to build consumer trust. This summit engaged … Read More