Author Archives: Rusty Halvorson
USDA Solidifies Commitment to Helping the Meat and Poultry Sector Recover from the Pandemic
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday announced the investment of $32 million in grants awarded to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency t...
Nov 23, 2021 Bob n Renee / CC
Recognize farmer veterans this Thanksgiving by supporting "Homegrown By Heroes"
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it's time to give thanks for each other and what we have and to show our gratitude for the farmer veterans who once protected us and now put food on our plates. ...
Nov 22, 2021 Former Marine Cal Zamora and wife Aubrianne own and operate Zamora Flora, a Homegrown By Heroes certified specialty cut flower farm in Winters, Calif. (photo: Farmer Veteran Coalition)
President Biden Pardons National Thanksgiving Turkey
National Turkey Federation Chairman Phil Seger presented the National Thanksgiving Turkey named "Peanut Butter" to President Joe Biden on Friday during the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. "...
Nov 22, 2021 Photo: National Turkey Federation
Last Chance to Register for Interstate Cattle Feeders Day
Changes in feedstuff markets can have an impact on how cattle are fed in the region. According to South Dakota State University (SDSU) Assistant Professor Zachary Smith, feeding elevated roughage leve...
Nov 22, 2021 Photo Credit: SDSU Extension
Proposed Water Rule a Return to "Overreach"
Ag groups are reacting to the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule to replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, and they're not happy with the idea. The proposed rule would re-establish...
Nov 22, 2021 Maple River, Dickey County, ND.
Possible Tax Credit Ahead for Soy Oil-Based Aviation Fuel
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow soybean oil-based jet fuel to qualify for an unprecedented tax credit. A Reuters article says that would be a win for biofuel producers and a blow to ...
Nov 22, 2021 US Air Force
Bill Would Suspend Brazilian Beef Imports to the U.S.
U.S. Senator Jon Tester of Montana introduced legislation to suspend Brazilian beef imports to the United States. The move comes after repeated issues with delayed reporting of BSE, or mad cow outbrea...
Nov 22, 2021 Tony Hisgett / CC
USDA Issuing $270 Million in Pandemic Assistance to Producers
USDA has begun issuing roughly $270 million in pandemic assistance payments to eligible contract producers of livestock and poultry who applied for help. Earlier this year, the Farm Service Agency ide...
Nov 22, 2021 RichardBH / CC
Biofuel Groups Frustrated by Further RFS Delays
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposal extending the Renewable Volume Obligation compliance deadlines for 2019 and 2020, as well as the RVO for 2021. The agency intends to establish ...
Nov 19, 2021 REUTERS/Jason Reed
EPA and Army to Provide 'Certainty' on WOTUS Definition
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army announced a proposed rule to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of the "Waters of the United States." The agencies plan to update the rule that'...
Nov 19, 2021 Tara Reid / CC
