- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of the USA” (POTUSA) label, which will inform a forthcoming rulemaking on this topic. NCBA has long-advocated for voluntary labels that meet consumer demand and allow producers to distinguish their products in the marketplace, and recently filed a petition with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to eliminate the use of POTUSA and other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef products. NCBA commends USDA for the prompt action to address industry concerns regarding the misleading nature of this generic label.
- Dairy communities nationwide rallied in June to support the veterinarians they depend on, helping lead an effort by Zoetis that donated $10,000 for mental health and wellness in the veterinary profession. The grassroots effort aims to help reverse an alarming rise in veterinarian suicides among those who work difficult, tiring hours while protecting and caring for cattle. Through the website HonorDairyVets.com, Zoetis solicited nominations from communities to celebrate dairy veterinarians, donating $5 for each person honored and randomly selecting three veterinarians every week in June to receive a personalized all-weather work jacket. The money raised will be donated to Not One More Vet®, a 32,000-member-strong nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding the mental health and well-being of veterinarian professionals and students.
- The National Pork Producers Council introduced a campaign, “Year-Round Pork Needs Year-Round Workers,” highlighting the vital role of foreign-born workers across the U.S. pork industry and the critical need for comprehensive labor reform to address a labor shortage.
- The last installment of Phibro’s MYCOmpass™ webinar series, designed to arm producers with tips and information to better understand and mitigate mycotoxin contamination, provides a nutritionist’s perspective on the complex subject. Dr. Todd Applegate, Poultry Science Department Head and Professor, University of Georgia, looks ahead at the new and upcoming technologies shaping physical, chemical and biological methods for controlling mycotoxins. The webinar is available at academy.pahc.com.
- The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced that Carrie Behlke is the winner of the 8th annual National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook. Behlke will sing the National Anthem at the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn., during the Opening General Session on Aug. 10, as well as at the Cowboy’s Night at the Opry event on Aug. 12. For convention information and to register, visit https://convention.ncba.org/.
- As of June 1, there were 75.7 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2% from June 2020 but up 1% from March 1, 2021, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
- Dairy Specialists LLC of Evans, Colorado, has finalized an agreement to acquire the assets of Priority Robotics of Tillamook Inc., effective July 1, 2021. Priority Robotics, which was founded in 2015, specializes in the distribution, installation and service of robotic dairy milking equipment and holds an exclusive territory dealership for Oregon and Washington with Lely North America, the worldwide leader in dairy robotics.
- AgriDigital has announced a partnership with Genesis Feed Technologies (GFT) Seed to Feed supply chain and traceability project. Over summer and harvest 2021, GFT is bringing together nine global partners from across the supply chain to trace premium soybeans from seed to animal feed, with the ultimate aim of defining how farmers can be more profitable through production.
