More cases of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed this week by USDA. An additional eight commercial turkey flocks in Minnesota were confirmed on Monday bringing to 22 the total number of confirmed cases in Minnesota. These flocks are within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk … Read More
Comments Requested on Dietary Guide Report
The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services want input on the recently submitted report from the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The report has been criticized for its recommendations on red meat in the diet, but the agencies note that this committee action is “not the Dietary Guidelines for Americans policy or a draft of the policy.” HHS … Read More
Lawmakers Urge Science for Dietary Guidelines
Members of the U.S. House this week called for the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture to ensure the final Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are based on sound nutritional science and adhere to the DGA charter authorized by Congress. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) and 70 House colleagues sent the letter to Agriculture Secretary … Read More
Hog Numbers Up in Quarterly Report
As of March 1, there were 65.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, seven percent more than a year ago, according to the USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. Of the total, 5.98 million hogs were kept for breeding and producers intend to have 2.87 million sows farrow between March and May 2015, and 2.93 million sows farrow between … Read More
Weekly Box Beef Report
Each week, Ed Czerwien, USDA Market News, brings us the Weekly Box Beef Report. Here is the report for week ending March 7th, 2015. Weekly boxed beef trade for week ending Mar 07. The daily spot Choice box beef cutout ended the week last Friday at 248.48 which was 0.90 higher. There were 615 loads sold for the week in … Read More
Angus Aids Producers in Traceability Compliance
A final phase of the national animal disease traceability rules will take effect this week, and with it, a change in the type of identification methods meeting the requirements. Starting March 11, all official ear tags noted under the animal disease traceability requirements must be tamper-evident, approved by USDA, contain an official animal ID numbering system and an official ear-tag … Read More
USDA & BBSRC Partner in Animal Disease Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the United Kingdom’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) announced five jointly funded research awards that total more than $2.3 million from NIFA and £2.3 million British pounds ($3,502,683 equivalent) from the BBSRC for the US-UK Collaborative Animal Health and Disease and Veterinary Immune Reagents … Read More
Study Finds Cover Crops Can be Grazed
A new study shows that allowing cattle to graze on cover crops does no damage to the soil. This article from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Agricultural Research Service study could encourage more producers to put down the crops that help reduce soil erosion, boost organic matter, keep more moisture in soil and sequester carbon in the soil. … Read More
Ranchers Positively Impact Sage Grouse
A new report released today finds that USDA’s Sage Grouse Initiative has helped to restore 4.4 million acres of habitat for sage-grouse since 2010 while still maintaining working landscapes across the West. “We’re working with ranchers who are taking proactive steps to improve habitat for sage-grouse while improving the sustainability of their agricultural operations,” Under Secretary for Natural Resources and … Read More
Proposal Would Move Meat Inspection to HHS
President Obama’s proposed budget would combine USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies’ efforts into a single agency under Health and Human Services (HHS). The proposal would primarily impact the meat inspection program which would be combined with other food safety responsibilities. On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spent much of a … Read More