The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have at least ditched part of the WOTUS rule. The Interpretive Rule Regarding the Applicability of Clean Water Act Section related to the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) was officially withdrawn by EPA and the Corps in a memo last Thursday, January 29. Congress requested asked for … Read More
USDA Shows 1% Increase in Cattle Inventories
The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) show that the cattle inventory is up 1 Percent from 2014. NASS says this is the first increase in the U.S. inventory since 2007. Other key findings in the report were: – There are 29.7 million beef cows in the United States as of January 1, … Read More
High Path Avian Flu Found in California
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N8 avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Stanislaus County, California. This is the first finding of HPAI in a commercial poultry operation since the disease was discovered last month in wild birds and backyard flocks in Washington and Oregon. Samples from the … Read More
New Measures to Reduce Poultry Contamination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed new federal standards to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground chicken and turkey products as well as raw chicken breasts, legs and wings. Development of these new standards is a major step in FSIS’ Salmonella Action Plan, launched in December 2013 to reduce Salmonella illnesses from meat … Read More
Additional Data on Dairy Farms Enrolled in MPP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided more specific information Friday about the extent of coverage chosen by dairy farmers enrolled for 2015 in the new Margin Protection Program (MPP), including a state-by-state breakdown of the percentage of farms using the new safety net. Earlier this week, the USDA announced that more than half of U.S. dairy operations have enrolled … Read More
AFBF Honors Vilsack for "Riding for the Brand"
American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman presented Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with a special gift Monday to recognize his support of farmers and ranchers. Noting that a Texas cowboy phrase denoting loyalty to the ranch is “ride for the brand,” Stallman gave Vilsack a specially-made “US AG” branding iron. “Mr. Secretary, thank you for riding for the brand for … Read More
Over 23,000 Enroll in New Margin Protection Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation’s dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin … Read More
USDA: Swine Herd Up 2 Percent from Year Ago
The number of hogs and pigs on U.S. farms is up 2 percent from the same time a year ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) says the new Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report also shows an increase of 1 percent from September 1. Other key findings in the report were: • Of the 66.1 million … Read More
USDA Appoints Meat and Poultry Inspection Members
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) for the 2014-2016 term. Established in 1971, the 17-member committee advises the Secretary on matters affecting federal and state inspection program activities and contributes to USDA’s regulatory policy development. The new NACMPI members are: Dr. Michael Crupain, Consumer Product Safety and Sustainability; … Read More
USDA Drops Plans for Second Beef Checkoff
According to reports out today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has abandoned his plans to pursue a second beef checkoff. Just over a month ago, USDA announced it would be seeking input on the development of a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order for beef and beef products. The decision to drop the idea apparently was made as the result … Read More