Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) announced applications for financial aid through the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund remain open for those cattle raisers impacted by wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma. The TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting ranchers and landowners impacted by disasters, will distribute financial assistance to reduce the economic burdens incurred by cattle raisers from recent wildfire damages that were not covered through insurance or other means of aid.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), in partnership with Feedstuffs, named ADM’s animal nutrition feed facility in Bluffton, Ind., as its 2023 Premix/Ingredient Feed Facility of the Year. Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs, presented the award Wednesday to plant manager Brent Weedman during AFIA’s Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference in San Antonio.
The Meat Foundation is now accepting undergraduate and graduate scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024. The Meat Foundation will be awarding one $10,000 Barry Carpenter Scholarship, along with several $5,000 scholarships. These scholarships are merit-based and open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at an accredited university who are majoring in animal, meat, poultry, or food sciences; enrolled in a culinary arts program; or are interested in pursuing a career in the meat industry.
Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tons (BMT), a slight decrease of 2.6 million metric tons (MMT) — or 0.2 percent — from 2022’s estimates, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook, released by Alltech. The annual survey, now in its 13th year, includes data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills.
In the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to release a final rule revising the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food package. With it, the food and nutrition benefits of nearly 6 million mothers and children under the age of 5 are at risk of being cut. Now, new polling of 815 WIC participants shows growing concern among participants that USDA’s proposed cuts to milk and dairy benefits will make their lives more difficult. Nearly half expressed uncertainty about re-enrolling in the program if USDA cuts their milk and dairy benefits.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is accepting applications for the Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards. Now in its 21st year, the awards honor dairy processing facilities and trucking operations for outstanding worker safety performance and management.
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA) members gathered for the cooperative’s 104th Annual Meeting in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Members joined cooperative staff and leadership to engage in cooperative business, as well as learn from outside experts. The two-day meeting featured remarks from Dairy Management Incorporated CEO Barb O’Brien, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr, Virginia Senator Timmy French, National Dairy Promotion and Research Board Chair Joanna Shipp, CoBank Dairy Economist Corey Geiger, James Farrell & Co. CEO Jeff Vandel, and numerous others. Animal Care Expert Temple Grandin made a guest appearance. CEO Jay Bryant announced he will retire from his position at the end of this year, concluding more than 22 years of leading and 37 years of working at MDVA.
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced that Paige Kirnberger has joined the organization as a sustainability project specialist to support farmers in all aspects of the Farmers for Sustainable Food Climate-Smart Program, from enrollment through data collection and analysis.
Simplot Animal Sciences announced Samuel G. Etay, Ph.D., has joined its in vitro fertilization (IVF) team as a research scientist. In this role, Etay will work to improve efficiency of Simplot’s IVF system, enhance the quality of in vitro-produced beef embryos and ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes.
GEA Farm Technologies acquires Northern Ireland-based agricultural software company CattleEye Ltd., adding a pioneering artificial intelligence system to its existing portfolio of solutions for dairy farms. The acquisition reinforces GEA’s strong commitment to improving animal health and welfare.
