USDA Highlights Customer Service Successes and IT Modernization at Impact Expo

(Washington, D.C., October 31, 2019) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture held the first ever Impact Expo with employees to celebrate the impact of its customer-focused IT modernization efforts. This event underlined the connection between modernization, customer experience, and USDA’s overall impact. The Expo featured projects from across the Centers of Excellence, Office of Customer Experience, USDA’s Customer Experience Champions program, Office of the Chief Information Officer, and every USDA mission area…

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Cattlemen Applaud Introduction of Real MEAT Act of 2019

WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2019) - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act of 2019 by U.S. Reps. Roger Marshall (R - 1st Dist., Kansas) and Anthony Brindisi (D - 22nd Dist., N.Y.) “A growing number of fake meat products are clearly trying to mislead consumers about what they’re trying to get them to buy,” said NCBA President and Tennessee cattlewoman…

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USDA Establishes Domestic Hemp Production Program

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2019 — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to grow hemp will pave the way for new products…

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Voting Begins for 2019 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections

Eligible Voters to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 4 WASHINGTON, October 28, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections.“Our county committee members play a key role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “We value the local input of the over 7,000…

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Waurika Area Cattlemen Invited to Attend OCA Fall Gathering at the Parker Ranch on Nov. 4

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. Oct. 28, 2019– The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is hosting a Fall Gathering, at the Parker Ranch near Waurika on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. All area cattlemen are invited to the attend the event and enjoy a delicious beef meal, industry issues update and door prizes. “OCA membership is not required to attend,” said Troy Shelby, OCA South Central District Vice President. “We encourage everyone to invite a friend,…

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Kansas Junior Livestock Show Features 644 Exhibitors

Winning exhibitors at the 87th Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS) earned cash premiums, while others were presented scholarships for excelling academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. The largest youth livestock show in Kansas featured 644 showmen from 94 counties, which exhibited 1,396 head of livestock. The statewide event was held September 27-29 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Baylor Deyoe of Ulysses led the grand champion market steer, a 1,374 lb.…

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NCBA Applauds Introduction of Livestock Risk Management and Education Act

WASHINGTON (Oct. 22, 2019) -- Todd Wilkinson, South Dakota cattle producer and NCBA Policy Division Vice Chair, today released the following statement in response to the introduction of the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.):  “NCBA applauds Representative Dusty Johnson's introduction of the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act yesterday on the House floor. This legislation will provide boots-on-the-ground cattle producers with critical resources and opportunities to…

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ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE by Baxter Black, DVM

Farm Animals in History Mankind from prehistory to space exploration has always depended on animals for help in their quest for advancing civilization.  Granted, often as bait or as guinea pigs but we have depended on them, nonetheless. After extensive research of my cerebral micro files I've discovered several remarkable case histories that have affected the course of our world.  For instance, Admiral Perry carried a Canadian goose on his Arctic trek to…

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NDSU Extension Encourages Producers to Assess Forage Requirements

Wet conditions during haying may have reduced the quantity and quality of hay this year. The 2019 growing season has been challenging for farmers and ranchers in the region. It was a bumper year for forage production in many parts of North Dakota, giving ranchers the opportunity to restock depleted forage supplies following the brutal 2018-2019 winter. However, wet conditions created challenges during haying, reducing the quantity and quality of hay. “In addition,…

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Exports and the Impact of the U.S. Dollar Value on Beef Trade

Josh Maples, Assistant Professor & Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University The latest Livestock and Meat Monthly Trade data from the Economic Research Service (ERS) was released on October 7th and included the month of August 2019 as the most recent data available. The purpose of this article is not just to discuss the export data from this report, but also to discuss an important but complex factor that impacts…

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