Author: staff

Image By Nokwan007, Shutterstock Top Third Ag Marketing helps farmers become better agricultural marketers with the goal of marketing crops and livestock in the top third of prices. Mark Gold and his team provide AGDAILY.com with the latest information and a look ahead in their audio commentary. Listen here! https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ag-daily-2024-05-06.mp3

Since the official detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the Texas panhandle on March 25, producers and agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have been working to mitigate and understand the potential impacts of the disease on both cattle and humans.  Samples of the disease, testing to confirm meat and milk safety, and tracing in cattle have already taken effect.  Now, the USDA has announced further steps to help reduce the impact of H5N1 on producers. “Care for farm workers and animals is critical for milk producers, as is protecting against potential…

Summer vacation presents an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in real-world experiences. While some FFA members opt for summer jobs or farm work, there are diverse avenues for hands-on learning. Consider contributing to a research program at a nearby university or Extension office to broaden your horizons. With SAE encompassing various activities, seize this time to delve deeper into your projects and put your classroom knowledge into practice. Assist agricultural educators or extension agents with educational programs, workshops, or events, gaining valuable teaching and leadership experience. Think about working as event staff for your county or state fair or other…

Whether working on a farm or in a garden, everyone should be mindful of sun exposure and take precautions. This is great advice to heed (and share), especially during May, which is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, and it’s on the rise. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, and more than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour. Additionally, the number of new invasive melanoma cases — the deadliest form of skin cancer — diagnosed annually increased…

In one of the largest wage violation settlements ever reached for U.S. poultry workers, a federal court in Los Angeles has entered a consent judgment that orders Fu Qian Chen Lu, Bruce Shu Hua Lok, and others as owners and operators of a network of California poultry processors and distributors to pay $4.8 million in back wages and damages to 476 workers and $221,919 in penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation. The settlement requires the employers to give up $1 million in profits earned from the sale of goods “tainted by oppressive child labor and pay assessed penalties…

With sun, sand, surf, and mountains, the Golden State of California is known for its year-round attractions. But when it comes to agricultural prowess, California tops the nation in cash receipts — so it’s not surprise that it has a farm specialty license plate to match. This West Coast state is known for its agricultural abundance, which includes over 400 commodities and provides over a third of the nation’s supply of vegetables, fruits, and nuts. In 2022, the market value of agricultural products sold in California totaled $59.0 billion, up $13.8 billion from 2017.  While 62,900 farm operations cover over…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now recommending personal protective equipment for livestock workers amid concerns for H5N1 transmission to humans.  The CDC made the request this week, asking state officials to make PPE available for livestock workers amid the spreading avian influenza. Though the risk remains low for the general public, according to the CDC, workers who are in close proximity to livestock, such as dairy farmers, poultry farmers, and slaughterhouses, may have a higher risk of infection.  “CDC asked that jurisdictions make PPE available to workers on dairy farms, poultry farms, and in slaughterhouses. Specifically, the…

University of Delaware researchers in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have made a new discovery in their work on wooden breast syndrome in chickens. The UD team found white blood cells filled with fat surrounding broiler chickens’ veins and showing signs of swelling are key contributing factors to this muscle degeneration disease in these birds that can ultimately affect their meat quality. Wooden breast syndrome disease is characterized by firm, yellowish breast muscle and is estimated to affect up to 5 percent of a given flock of broiler chickens, rendering meat from those birds tough and chewy —…

China is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and consumers, so its stance on GM crops can influence global markets and policies. As the largest exporter of U.S. agricultural products, the inclusion of more GM-edited crops could have an impact on  Additionally, this move reflects a shift in China’s approach to biotechnology, potentially indicating increased acceptance of GM technology for addressing agricultural challenges such as pests, diseases, and climate change amid growing population pressures and changing dietary preferences. »Related: Farm group advocates for more non-GM corn in U.S.-Mexico dispute

Two scientists who were instrumental in creating a backup vault of the world’s crop seeds so as to protect global food security have been named the 2024 World Food Prize Laureates. The World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee chose Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, founding director and executive board member at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and Dr. Cary Fowler, the U.S. special envoy for global food security, for their longstanding contributions to seed conservation and crop biodiversity. The two men played critical roles in establishing the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which today holds 1.25 million seed samples of more than…