The National Pork Board (NPB) partnered with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) to convene a group of public health, animal health and swine professionals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to build relationships and explore opportunities for One Health collaborations. The event was sponsored by the Pork Checkoff with the support of several state pork associations and producers from Minnesota and South Dakota.
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is an easy and effective way to pursue continued education in the cattle business. Cattlemen and women can become BQA certified, or renew an expired certification, on Wednesday afternoon, August 21, 2024, at Hy-Plains Feedyard in Montezuma, Kan. Plus, attendees will hear from Jerome Tang, Kansas State University men’s basketball coach, about how it takes every player on a team to win. The workshop is free to attend and will offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation.
Leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) issued statements of concern in response to news of the indictment of Charles and Heather Maude, multi-generational family ranchers in western South Dakota, by U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.
Partners, collaborators and contractors involved in the Edge Climate-Smart project met in Green Bay on July 17 to share success stories, project updates and begin visioning for the future. The day-long meeting provided an opportunity for cross-sharing of information to strengthen the overall program. Farmer enrollment for year two of the project is now open.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that Matt Herrick will take on the role of Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer. In this new role, Herrick will coordinate efforts across the association to drive policy, advocacy, communications, and social impact strategies in coordination with IDFA’s Executive Team members and subject matter experts. Herrick previously served as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications. He will continue to oversee public affairs, communications, and manage the IDFA Foundation, in addition to these new responsibilities. He will continue to report to IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
In the decade ahead, easy-to-prepare meals will be of priority to Gen Z and younger Millennials who buy fresh chicken. Sixty-seven percent of Gen Z claim fast prep will be a priority in five years. “Beyond speed, Gen Z indicates a future need for advanced meal prep, global flavors and minimal cleanup,” according to new research presented at Chicken Marketing Summit 2024. The 2024 Chicken Consumption Survey results revealed current and anticipated US consumer behavior among different generations.
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award. This prestigious award recognizes family farmers who demonstrate exceptional environmental stewardship in poultry and egg production. Eligible nominees include family-owned poultry growers or egg producers who supply products to a USPOULTRY member or independent producers who are USPOULTRY members. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 25.
United States Department of Agriculture scientists have identified potential ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities across U.S. western rangelands. As recently published in the scientific journal Ecosphere, the collaborative research effort among Agricultural Research Service (ARS) rangeland scientists at Burns, Oregon, and Fort Collins, Colorado, challenged the outdated dogma that livestock grazing in the sagebrush steppe always negatively impacts these ecosystems and, in fact, can convey desirable outcomes, particularly in regard to limiting both wildfire risk and invasive annual grasses.
Through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, NRCS has awarded $22 million in 29 projects in 36 states that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands.
