The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says farmers and ranchers need the certainty of a five-year farm bill. Buck Wehrbein of Nebraska told the U.S. Senate Ag Committee during a hearing this week he’d liked to see it passed sooner rather than later. “There are too many people that are up in the…… Continue Reading

A sixth-generation dairy farmer says the Dairy Margin Coverage program needs to be updated to better reflect actual milk production in the next farm bill. Vermont’s Harold Howrigan testified this week before the Senate Ag Committee as part of a panel focused on the economic conditions in the livestock industry. “Dairy Farmers of America would…… Continue Reading

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill that could increase protections for meatpacking and poultry workers during animal disease outbreaks. State Senator Dunixi Guereca is the bill’s sponsor. “This bill emerges from an urgent need to bridge meatpackers and agricultural production while ensuring, even during unpredictable disasters, that our supply chain continues to function without interruption,”…… Continue Reading

The Illinois state veterinarian says the state is increasing its efforts to monitor dairy cattle for H5N1 avian flu. Dr. Mark Ernst tells Brownfield, “The Illinois Department of Public Health is beginning their initiation of milk testing at processors, and so that should give us an idea as to whether or not we have any…… Continue Reading