New grading standards at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) have ended a rule requiring butter sellers to provide a USDA Grading certificate unless requested to do so by a buyer. The change comes following efforts from a task force created in 2015 by the American Butter Institute (ABI), working in close partnership with CME while redrafting the rules and gaining … Read More
NCBA Urges House to Support Disapproval of WOTUS
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, along with 42 state affiliate organizations, have sent a letter to the House of Representatives urging support of Senate Joint Resolution 22, disapproval of the EPA and Army Corps’ “waters of the United States” rule. NCBA President Philip Ellis, said withdrawal or defunding of WOTUS remains a top priority for cattlemen. … Read More
All US Beef Approved for Export to Colombia
This week’s audio report from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) discusses an important policy change occurring in the South American country of Colombia, and what this change means for US beef producers. Following Colombia’s recent decision to remove restrictions related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on certain bone-in cuts of beef, the U.S beef industry has officially gained full … Read More
Funding for Poultry Research Lab in Omnibus Bill
The National Turkey Federation, United Egg Producers and the University of Georgia applaud the work of Congress to include $114 million to fully fund renovations and critical upgrades to the Southeast Poultry Disease Research Laboratory (SEPRL) in Athens, Georgia. The groups appreciate House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee leadership and staff for including the funding within the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations … Read More
Animal Ag Reacts to Omnibus Bill
Late last week Congress passed the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which funds much of the government through fiscal year 2016. The bill repeals mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) which has been one of the hottest issues in animal agriculture as we wrap up 2015. “USDA will be amending the COOL regulations as expeditiously as possible to reflect the repeal of … Read More
Omnibus Provisions To Impact Horse Industry
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
Animal Ag Reacts to Cool Announcement
The broad spending and tax legislation compromise unveiled by House Republicans Tuesday night included a very big announcement on the repeal of mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for meat to prevent more than $1 billion in trade sanctions from Mexico and Canada approved last week by the WTO. “Farm Bureau supports COOL programs that are in line with world trade rules,” … Read More
COOL Repeal Secured in Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced the inclusion of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) repeal in the year-end funding bill. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. COOL, first authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill and amended in the 2008 Farm Bill, was … Read More
APHIS Seeking Public Comments on EIA
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services is asking the public for comments regarding equine infectious anemia (EIA) control. The call for public comment comes after APHIS recently hosted a discussion group on approaches for EIA control. A summary document from the EIA discussion group is available online. The Vet Services group is seeking additional public … Read More
$40 Million to Help Ranchers Restore Sage Grouse Habitat
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