Public education needed on antibiotic use in poultry flocks
The recent negative publicity over antibiotic use in turkey production underscores that efforts must be made to educate the public that antibiotics are not just placed into feed to help […]
USDA issues final COOL rule
USDA has issued the final rule for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, goat meat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities, peanuts, […]
‘Foodies’ spark reawakening of Grange in California
From exclusive Marin to tony Malibu, young food activists are sparking the renaissance of an old fraternal order – the California Grange. The state Grange still abides by its symbolic […]
April poultry production 7% above last year
According to USDA, April 2013 poultry production was 3.752 billion pounds, up 7% from April 2012. The preliminary live weight of all poultry was 4.970 billion pounds, a 7% year […]
Foster Farms debuts American Humane Certified™ Oven Ready Chicken Entrées
As more Americans rely on fresh, distinctive flavors and a "foodie" experience at home, Foster Farms introduces a new fresh chicken experience with Oven Ready Entrées, allowing consumers to quickly […]
FSIS to start sampling comminuted poultry products
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has instructed inspectors at plants that produce not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products that, beginning June 1, they are to sample these products. The […]
Meat and poultry trends in the U.S.
Meat consumption in the U.S. has been on the decline for nearly a decade. Several factors account for this change, but two in particular stand out. The first is consumer […]
Brown’s revised budget gives CDFA slight increase
The $96.4 billion revised budget proposal that Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled May 14 increases spending for the California Department of Food and Agriculture after several years of cuts. The governor’s proposed $61.9 million general fund allocation to CDFA is unchanged from the rosy fiscal outlook he presented in January, and the ledger sets aside $2.5 million for research to combat the Asian citrus psyllid and citrus greening.
Congressional ag committees to work on farm bills
It’s spring. Farmers have taken to fields to plant their 2013 fall crops, and congressional agriculture committees are taking another stab at enacting a new farm bill. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on May 14, by a vote of 15 to 5, approved the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013. The bill was written by Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, chairwoman of the agriculture committee, and ranking member Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi.
Farm Bill gets House hearing after Senate panel approval
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee debated legislation today to reauthorize farm programs, a day after the Senate panel approved a version that will cost $955 billion over 10 years.The House […]