Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Cornyn (R-TX) are calling for enhanced interagency coordination in the federal response to the avian flu outbreak. In a letter, the senators urged the USDA to work with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other authorities, as it…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Nominations Open for Farm Dog of the Year
Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. It’s the seventh year of the contest, supported by Nestle Purina PetCare, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers. The grand prize winner will…… MORE
Lawmakers Want To Delist A Predator From The Endangered Species Act
Currently it’s illegal for California ranchers to shoot a gray wolf if attacking their cattle. But a just passed house bill might change that. The “Trust the Science Act” would remove the gray wolf from the list of Federal Endangered Species, along with ensuring that action is not subject to judicial review and restore authority…… MORE
House Ag Chair Releases Farm Bill Draft
House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-PA) shared his title-by-title overview of the bipartisan policies and priorities included in the 2024 Farm Bill. He called the legislation a product that happens when the development process is extensive and transparent, which included feedback from members of both political parties, stakeholder input from across the U.S., and…… MORE
Government to Test Ground Beef in Bird-Flu States
The U.S. government announced it will collect samples of ground beef from retail stores in the states with outbreaks of bird flu in dairy cattle. Reuters says the government is confident that the meat supply is safe. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have said the overall public…… MORE
Colombia Restricts U.S. Beef Imports Due To Bird Flu Virus
Colombia has become the first country to restrict U.S. beef imports due to HPAI infections in dairy cattle. The U.S. Meat Export Federation says there is “no scientific basis” for the restrictions. “Columbia is the only country that has officially restricted imports of U.S. beef,” the organization says. “We are encouraged that the vast majority…… MORE
USDA Requires Bird Flu Testing for Moving Dairy Cattle Across State Lines
The Department of Agriculture is going to mandate testing for bird flu in dairy cattle that cross state lines. The move is to protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat of avian influenza. Before interstate movement, dairy cattle will be required to receive a negative test for the virus at an approved National Animal…… MORE
Drone Operators Urged to Give Right of Way
The U.S agricultural industry is entering the growing season, which means things will get busy. The National Agricultural Aviation Association is asking all drone operators to be mindful of low-altitude crewed or manned agricultural aircraft operations. Crop dusters treat 127 million acres of cropland in the U.S. each year to help farmers increase productivity and…… MORE
Fresno Irrigation District Meetings Scheduled
The Fresno Irrigation District is hosting three grower meetings to give updates on the current water supply conditions according to a FID news release. Those updates cover: FID’s Recharge Efforts in 2023, the Kings River water rights fight, and the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency and its efforts to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management…… MORE
Golden State Big Part of USDA Trade Mission to India
California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross along with various farm organizations from California are joining a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to New Delhi, India this week. According to a CDFA announcement, they are accompanied by a diverse delegation of 47 businesses and organizations as well as officials from 10 other…… MORE
