Department Updates

World food prices have now fallen as much as 4.3 percent amid the pandemic, potentially crippling rural economies and raising sharp concerns among farmers trying to sustain their operations. (TNS) — The United States has built the most abundant, affordable, accessible and diverse food system the world has ever known, but the emergence of the… Read More →

By Rhonda Brooks Vaccines are effective tools against a host of cattle diseases but how they’re handled – from the time purchased to the time used – can significantly affect their efficacy. “It’s our job to keep as much of that vaccine effectiveness as possible until we actually get it injected into the animal that… Read More →

By David Cooper While the rise of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease created turmoil in beef commodity markets, a steady supply of beef continues to be delivered into the food chain. In an effort to understand further how packing facilities are adapting to both the distribution demand for beef and the ongoing food safety concerns during… Read More →

Although it is not seen in the nightly news, agriculture is quietly going about the business of feeding all of us in the middle of this pandemic even as we social distance and shelter in place. Farmers are still tending their crops, dairies are still milking cows, ranchers are still feeding cattle and calving their… Read More →

By Susan Himes Food and Drug administration Is continuing the phasing in of a law that requires a prescription for any antibiotic use in animals raised for human consumption. No longer will producers who need injectable antibiotics for their cattle be able to just grab them at their local feed store or order them online…. Read More →