U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion-dollar comprehensive strategy to curb highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices. This is in addition to funding already being provided to indemnify growers for depopulated flocks. As the Secretary detailed in the Wall Street Journal, the five-pronged strategy includes an additional $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million in financial relief for affected farmers, and $100 million for vaccine research, action to reduce regulatory burdens, and exploring temporary import options.
At the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture 2025 Winter Policy Conference, NASDA members amended the organization’s policy to support the implementation of a robust national action plan for the detection, surveillance, response and containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Register for the next National Cattlemen’s Beef Association webinar, Delivering Excellence with Every Cattle Moo-vement, on Wednesday, March 5th 6:00 – 7:00 CDT.
Research is a cornerstone of the Beef Checkoff, helping drive demand and build trust in beef. A successful beef industry is dependent on the decisions consumers make in the grocery store — that’s why it’s imperative that the Beef Checkoff understands consumers’ evolving preferences, perceptions and purchasing behaviors. Unpack consumer preferences and buying behaviors from the Today’s Beef Consumer Report.
How much can you tell about a cow’s health by the way and rate at which it eats? A team of researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University is developing a way to tie that rate to cattle health. Hans Coetzee, currently the interim vice president of research at Kansas State University, is a well-established researcher in the fields of pain relief and animal welfare. He and Eduarda Bortoluzzi, assistant professor of animal welfare, are leading a project titled, “Validation of a novel Bovine Rate of Consumption Index (BROCI) to assess pain and thermal stress in cattle.”
The dairy checkoff is returning to Natural Products Expo West to highlight the innovation and nutritional benefits of dairy to more than 65,000 industry professionals, investors and leaders from consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and retail companies. Dairy farmers and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) team members will showcase new dairy products and lead an educational session titled “What Women Really Want: Cracking the Code for Food and Beverages,” offering insights on how dairy can meet the modern health and wellness needs of women.
Leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released statements in response to the Trump Administration’s updated response plan for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that is affecting our nation’s dairy herds.
In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge brought by Animal Partisan, BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division found that Certified Angus Beef‘s claims that the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program represents “best practices” and “highest standards” are supported. Animal Partisan is a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is improving animal welfare and combating the suffering of animals in agriculture. Certified Angus Beef, also a nonprofit organization, owns the Certified Angus Beef® logo and promotes the BQA program to beef producers.
District 3 Director John Rettler of Neosho, Wis. was re-elected president of the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative’s board of directors following the cooperative’s 13th annual meeting held on February 8th, 2025. District 6 Director Bob Dietzel of East Dubuque, Ill. was elected vice-president, District 4 Director Wayne Gajewski was elected treasurer, and District 5 Director Stephanie Hughes of Pittsville, Wis. was re-elected secretary. David Johnson of Daggett, MI, was newly elected to a three year term, replacing Steve Brock who announced his retirement last year. Re-elected to three-year terms, on the 10-member board of directors included John Rettler, and Stephanie Hughes. Other board members include Mark Leichtfuss of Green Bay in District 2, Michelle Popp, of Unity, Wis. in District 7, Jackie Holub of Boyd, Wis. in District 8, Kathy Bauer in District 9 and Nathan Wiese of Rosendale, Wis. as Young Cooperator Chair.
Holden Farms in Obion County, Tenn., nominated by the Tennessee Poultry Association, was one of three farms across the U.S. to receive the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award during the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta. USPOULTRY sponsors the annual awards for exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.
The 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) recognized three exhibitors with the New Product Showcase “Best of the Best” award. The award acknowledges outstanding exhibitors that have distinguished themselves by developing an innovative technology in products, services or operating techniques that will advance the industry. BinSentry was recognized as “Best in the Best” in the Animal Food category for their Prosense HD that provides precise, real time 3D readings of bins and silos, allowing immediate identification and management of issues such as inventory shrinkage. Sephnos was recognized as “Best of the Best” in the Live Production category for their VANGUARD automatic feeder for chickens with advanced technology that allows for better distribution and less food waste. STOBER Drives was recognized as “Best of the Best” in the Processing category for their cLEAN System that eliminates premature failure due to water ingress, is IP69K & IP68 certified with an IE5 energy efficiency rating, and is designed to EHEDG standard. Their innovative products and services can be viewed at Booth BC37118 on the trade show floor and through the IPPE app. Their videos are also viewable on the IPPE YouTube channel.
