No new farm bill means dairy producers will be left holding an empty bucket at the end of this month. “With expiration of the farm bill, dairy farmers will lose what little safety net they have,” said Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) who led a failed attempt last week have the House consider the Senate-passed farm bill prior to adjourning until … Read More
Final Ruling for Mideast Milk Marketing Order
The U. S. Department of Agriculture has announced a final rule which amends the Pool Plant definition of the Mideast milk marketing order. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 4-5, 2011. This amendment will more adequately identify the plants that service the fluid milk needs of the … Read More
USDA: Good Records Key for Natural Disaster Claims
Livestock producers hit by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Isaac, are being urged by the USDA to keep thorough records of their livestock and feed losses, including additional expenses like feed purchases because of lost supplies: “There are extraordinary circumstances caused by a variety of disasters from fires in the west, floods in Florida, Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf region, … Read More
Secretary Vilsack Calls for Farm Bill Now
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited the 2012 Farm Progress Show in his home state of Iowa on Thursday to announce new USDA grants to support beginning farmers and call on Congress to pass a farm bill before the current one expires next month. He gave three reasons why agriculture needs a farm bill now. “One, because it includes the … Read More
New Drought Assistance
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced two new pieces of disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by the nation’s worsening drought. First, Vilsack is expanding emergency haying and grazing on approximately 3.8 million acres of conservation land to bring greater relief to livestock producers dealing with shortages of hay and pastureland. Second, the Secretary announced that crop insurance companies have … Read More
Vilsack Announces Drought Help
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new flexibility and assistance in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s major conservation programs to get much-needed help to livestock producers as the most wide-spread drought in seven decades intensifies in the United States. Vilsack also announced plans to encourage crop insurance companies to provide a short grace period for farmers on unpaid insurance premiums, … Read More
Sec. Vilsack Visits Pa. Dairy Farm
Pennwood Farms hosted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on their farm today. The Pa. dairy farm is using an anaerobic digester to convert manure into electricity and high quality bedding, cutting energy costs and providing a resting area for more contented cows. The digester, which went on-line a year ago, was funded in part with the support of USDA Rural Development. … Read More
Committee, Ag Leaders React to FARRM Bill Passage
It took nearly 15 hours, but members of the House Agriculture Committee were able to pass their version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) Bill. Committee Chair Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) praised the bipartisan legislation: “This is a balanced, reform-minded, fiscally responsible bill that underscores our commitment to production … Read More
Dairy Reports at Risk in USDA Budget Cuts
Some USDA reports vital to dairy producers could be on the budgetary chopping block. A recent Farm Foundation webinar featured several speakers from the federal government, private industry and commodity groups discussing how to head off cuts to many market reports. Jim Robb, the Senior Agricultural Economist and Director at the Livestock Marketing Information Center, told the panel that the … Read More
Natural Remedy Investigated to Reduce Mastitis
Researchers for the USDA are looking at a natural remedy to delay and reduce cases of mastitis in dairy cattle. This story from the Agricultural Research Service says scientists at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa, have found that vitamin D may be another treatment for mastitis instead of antibiotics: Molecular biologist John Lippolis, in the Ruminant … Read More