USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity, the final installment in the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) launched in 2022. Over $325 million total investment in 74 independent meat and poultry processing projects have been awarded. Joining Sec. Vilsack in making …
World Without Cows?
Can you image a world without cows? I can’t. But I’m sure there are some people who may think differently. To get some facts and answers to the question, a feature-length documentary is in final stages and made possible by Planet of Plenty – World Without Cows. Here’s some information about the production. World Without Cows is an incredible journey …
Preview of CattleCon 2024
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. This week we’re going to get a preview of the new CattleCon. I love that name. It is new and perfect for the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. In fact, CattleCon is the official new name. To learn all about what’s new and different with CattleCon I talked with Kristin Torres, Executive …
2023 Ag Media Summit Drew a Big Crowd
The 2023 Ag Media Summit is concluding with a tour today but I’m on my way back to ZimmComm World Headquarters. We had a great conference which included 100 USDA communicators joining in for the first day of professional development sessions. It wasn’t all work though as we had fun with the famous welcome party to get things started. Marilyn …
CattleCon Session on Pilot Cattle Contracts Library
Just as the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was getting underway last week, USDA launched its pilot Cattle Contracts Library on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cattle Contract Library webpage. That provided a timely opportunity for USDA AMS Administrator Bruce Summers and Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox to update the cattle industry during an early morning session at …
USDA Announces Value Added Producer Grants
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday announced the awarding of $9.6 million across the country and taking several other steps to help farmers, ranchers, processors and rural businesses diversify the nation’s meat supply. The Department is awarding 23 Value Added Producer Grant program grants totaling $3.9 million to help producer-owned companies process and market new products. USDA is also providing guarantees …
Lower Food and Fuel Cost Act Passes House
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, a diverse package of initiatives from meat packing plants to year round E15, despite opposition by the majority of Republicans. The final vote was 221-204, with seven Republicans siding with the majority and five Democrats voting against the bill. The act includes a package of ag-related …
House to Vote on Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Thursday on the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act led by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), a package of legislation designed to address supply chain issues for the American energy and agriculture sectors, combat rising fertilizer prices and increase the availability of higher ethanol blends and other biofuels. The legislation includes Spanberger’s …
U.S. Agricultural Exports Shattered Records in 2021
The American agricultural industry posted its highest annual export levels ever recorded last year, according to the final 2021 trade data from the Department of Commerce. The report shows exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world in 2021 totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record, set in 2014, by …
House Ag Committee Hearing on Livestock Industry
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Thursday to address the current state of the livestock industry, meat processing, production and supply. Among the witnesses testifying were Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota, and François Léger of FPL Food, on behalf of the North American Meat …