Posts in Livestock
USDA to Measure Crop Production Throughout the Growing Season

How will this year’s weather conditions affect crop production? The Monthly Agricultural Yield Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey U.S. farmers beginning July 30, 2021, regarding yields of the major row crops and hay, as well as hay stocks throughout the growing season across the United States.

Read More
NFL Linebacker Avery Williamson Gives Back to 4-H in Meaningful Ways

Were it not for the foundation that 4-H provided to Avery Williamson as a youth, the NFL linebacker might not have found his way back to the family farm in Tennessee as an adult.

Williamson, a free-agent linebacker who has spent the bulk of his professional playing career since 2014 with the Titans, is a fourth-generation farmer. His great-grandfather started the family legacy in agriculture, and his grandfather had a dairy farm and grew crops such as corn and tomatoes. Williamson and his father focused on cattle production — specifically black angus.

Read More
4-H, Livestockkristen oaks
FFA Members Can Receive Free Admission to NCBA Trade Show

For FFA members, getting hands-on experience is the best way to make industry connections. A great example of this type of opportunity is the annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. The show brings producers and their families from across the country together for education, entertainment, and excitement. This year’s event, which will take place Aug. 10-12, in Nashville, Tennessee, also provides an opportunity for the industry’s youth to gather, learn, and share ideas.

Read More
Livestock, FFAkristen oaks
Animal Agriculture Organizations Launch New Protein Pact

Twelve organizations representing farmers and companies who make the vast majority of America’s meat, poultry, and dairy, as well as animal feed and ingredients, today unveiled the Protein PACT for the People, Animals, and Climate of Tomorrow — the first joint initiative of its kind designed to accelerate momentum and verify progress toward global sustainable development goals across all animal protein sectors.

Read More
Livestockkristen oaks
Veterinarian Shortage Reported in Louisiana Due to Multiple Factors

Animals, large and small, all have to see veterinarians, but according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the nation is seeing a vet shortage, even here in Louisiana.

“The pandemic made people more hyper-aware of what was going on with their animals, both large and small, and so the demand for veterinary care increased and it hadn’t maybe been there before,” said Associate Professor of Food Animal Health Maintenance, Clare Scully, MA, DVM, MS, DACT.

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture says rural parishes are some of the areas seeing the most shortages, they are also some of the areas that rely the most on livestock.

Read More
Livestockkristen oaks
USDA to Invest $500 Million to Expand Meat Processing Capacity

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it intends to make significant investments to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and poultry processing to make agricultural markets more accessible, fair, competitive, and resilient for American farmers and ranchers.

This is one of several key steps that USDA will take to increase competition in agricultural markets, pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting competition and as part of USDA efforts to build a more resilient supply chain and better food system. Together, USDA’s actions will help farmers, ranchers, farmworkers and consumers all get a fair shake.

Read More
Livestock, USDAkristen oaks
Cow Country Reporter, July 2021

This month we celebrated July 4, Independence Day and it gave us time to stop, pause and reflect on what we have in America; Freedom, Independence and Choices. As we enter into the last 6 months of 2021, let us in the cattle business focus on where we are today and where we want to be in the future.

Read More