The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) notched a legal victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA, along with a coalition of other livestock and farm groups, has engaged in this litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Environmental managers in the poultry and egg industry face increasing pressure to meet regulatory demands while advancing sustainability and operational efficiency. USPOULTRY’s 2025 Environmental Management Seminar, taking place Sept. 18–19 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla., will offer practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help navigate today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Researchers at Auburn University recently developed new methods for safely using poultry processing wastewater for food-grade hydroponic crop production. By eliminating pathogens, like salmonella, the research team was able to use wastewater from a poultry processing plant to grow romaine lettuce safe for human consumption. The breakthrough promises not only a cost-effective means of irrigating crops with poultry byproduct water, but also better water conservation.
On Thursday, Aug. 7, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order that confirmed a reporting exemption for air emissions from the natural breakdown of animal waste at a farm. The court affirmed that the reporting exemption under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June 2019, is appropriate because of the relationship between the reporting mandates under EPCRA and the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the federal Superfund law. This decision comes more than 20 years after USPOULTRY, the National Turkey Federation and the National Chicken Council formally requested that EPA exempt poultry farms from the requirement to report the emission of ammonia under CERCLA and EPCRA.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the selection of 30 outstanding professionals from IDFA member companies to join the seventh cohort of the NextGen Leadership Program, a premier, year-long program designed to develop the dairy industry’s next generation of senior leadership. Cohort 7 was selected based on their experience and scope of responsibility within their organizations. Representing a wide cross-section of the dairy industry, including all segments and geographic regions, these individuals reflect the diversity and strength of the industry’s emerging leadership.
The nation’s school milk processors have reduced added sugars by nearly 60% in flavored milk products sold at schools as a result of a voluntary, industry-led effort. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the results of the Healthy School Milk Commitment launched in April 2023 by 37 school milk processors representing approximately 95 percent of the school milk volume in the United States. The Commitment calls on dairy companies to provide healthy, nutritious school milk options with fewer calories and no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8-ounce serving by the 2025-2026 school year. The latest survey by IDFA shows the current level of added sugar in flavored milk is 7.2 grams per serving on average, demonstrating that all companies have met or exceeded the pledge.
Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s August 21 webinar focuses on calf-rearing protocols. “Why do protocols fail? Setting up on-farm processes for success” – set for Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. Central time (U.S./Canada). Marisol Orellana, Diamond V calf and heifer field product specialist, will lead this free, one-hour educational offering.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and Discover Dairy are inviting educators to register for the popular Adopt a Cow program, now open for the 2025–26 school year. This udderly delightful—and completely free—experience connects students with a real Wisconsin calf and her farm family, turning agriculture education into an unforgettable adventure.
4-H and FFA members from across the state have joined with Missouri Farmers Care to make a difference far beyond the showring this year. After competing at the Missouri State Fair, they chose to donate their market hogs through Hogs for Hunger, a program that turns livestock projects into high quality protein for Missouri families facing hunger.
New soybean research and commercial learnings are available that evolve soy use as a feed ingredient in poultry, swine, dairy and beef diets. To share these important insights, the United Soybean Board is launching a new website called U.S. Soy Center for Animal Nutrition and Health (U.S. Soy CAN) to provide the latest research and information to livestock industries.
The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) is proud to announce Jon Dilworth as its new Executive Director. In this key leadership position, Jon will oversee the Council’s statewide beef promotion, education, and research programs funded through the Beef Checkoff. He will serve as a primary voice for South Dakota’s cattle producers while leading strategic outreach, retail and foodservice collaboration, and producer engagement initiatives that strengthen beef demand from pasture to plate.
