As the Beef Checkoff celebrates its 35th anniversary, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association highlights the successful promotion and research programs that drive the demand for beef. The Beef Quality Assurance program has improved beef quality and increased consumer confidence for more than 30 years. Managed by NCBA, the Checkoff-funded voluntary BQA program ensures U.S.…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Dairy Hearing on Pricing
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says she is moving forward with a dairy pricing hearing. The New York Democrat announced permission was granted for a hearing in the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee she chairs on Dairy, Livestock, Poultry, Local Food Systems, Food Safety and Security. Although a Senate calendar date is not yet confirmed, the…… MORE
Opposition to Meat Markets Intervention
The North American Meat Institute opposed recent action to make changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act. In a statement, the organization says, President Biden’s executive order calling for the Department of Agriculture to change the Packers and Stockyards rules will have unintended consequences for consumers and producers. Meat Institute President and CEO Julie…… MORE
Dairy Farmers Reimbursement
A group of lawmakers are callling on the Biden administration to reimburse dairy producers for losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and market-related losses. In a letter to President Joe Biden, the 24 lawmakers say, “We strongly urge you to ensure our producers are reimbursed for as much of the roughly $725 million in foregone…… MORE
Vilsack Expected To Make Major Announcement
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack travels to Omaha, Nebraska Friday to make a major announcement, according to the Department of Agriculture. Few details are available, but the White House this week announced President Joe Biden is preparing to address agriculture issues in an executive order. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki earlier this week told…… MORE
Ag Economy Barometer Down
For the second month in a row, the Ag Economy Barometer declined sharply. The new recent survey fell to 137, which is 21 points below a month earlier, and the weakest sentiment reading since July 2020. Producers in June were less optimistic about both current conditions on their farming operations as well as their expectations…… MORE
USDA Product of USA Gains Support
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Farmers Union support the top to bottom review of the Product of the USA label. The review, announced last week by the Department of Agriculture, follows a vote to strengthen the regulation by the Federal Trade Commission. NCBA President Jerry Bohn says, “NCBA members have voiced concerns…… MORE
USDA to Review Product of USA Labeling
The Federal Trade Commission voted to strengthen its enforcement of the Made in USA standard. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded, “American consumers depend upon accurate, transparent labels to obtain important information about the food they consume.” The FTC requires products to display a country of origin. However, if the products are imported and produced in…… MORE
Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act
House lawmakers introduced the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act to reform and bring accountability and transparency to Commodity Checkoff Programs. Applauded by the Organization for Competitive Markets, the organization claims checkoff programs “have long been plagued by scandal after scandal for misappropriation of funds, lack of transparency, and misusing farmer and rancher tax…… MORE
July 4th Foods Comparison
U.S. consumers will pay just a few cents less for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods compared to last year, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream. The American Farm Bureau Federation reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for ten people remains affordable at $59.50, or…… MORE
