- In response to the ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement to Capitol Hill.
- The National Pork Producers Council applauds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidance on critical industry workforce that should continue as the country addresses and responds to the coronavirus outbreak; U.S. food and agriculture was included among 16 critical industries. Specifically, DHS recognized as essential a variety of pork production roles.
- The North American Meat Institute says meat and poultry producers are leaning in to continue efforts to meet the global demand for meat under difficult circumstances. For more detailed information go here.
- The American Feed Industry Association, along with 23 state and regional feed and grain associations, called on state officials around the country to maintain access to businesses providing animal food amid proposed state plans to close “non-essential businesses” to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The plea comes after some states released response plans that excluded animal food manufacturing facilities, transportation and agricultural and non-agricultural retail establishments from their lists of “essential businesses.” In an urgent letter, the groups stated that these businesses should be reclassified because not doing so would hinder the animal food industry’s ability to continue feeding America’s livestock, poultry and pets, threaten the U.S. food supply and drive up prices for farmers, ranchers, pet owners and consumers.
- Nominations for the 14th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted. For the application and nomination requirements, as well as more information about BQA, go here. All nominations are due by June 5, 2020.
- Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is looking to award two $1,000 college scholarships to children of its members. Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates or college undergraduates. They must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited four-year college or university or a two-year program at a technical, junior or community college. The area of study does not need to be in agriculture. Only dependents of Edge members qualify. The application with full guidelines is available at www.voiceofmilk.com. Applications must be postmarked by May 1.
- The Global Marketing and Research team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, along with State Beef Councils across the country, are leveraging their extensive library of content, including advertisements, recipes, cooking videos and educational materials about beef nutrition to help consumers while they are home during the pandemic.
