Attention college students! Do you have a passion for agricultural communications and want to network with hundreds of professionals? Apply by February 21 for the Forrest Bassford Student Award. The top winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a $500 travel award to attend Ag Media Summit. Up to three additional $750 travel scholarships may be awarded to finalists to attend the event. Get details and download the application here. Special thanks to Alltech for sponsoring this prestigious award!
Zoetis announced its recent acquisition of the marketing rights for Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) from Elanco. With Loncor 300, Zoetis adds an amphenicol option to its market-leading cattle anti-infective portfolio.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports the Death Tax Repeal Act, led by Reps. Randy Feenstra (IA) and Sanford Bishop (GA). The Senate companion bill is led by Majority Leader John Thune (SD). Repealing the federal estate tax, also known as the Death Tax, is a top priority this year for NCBA.
Biosecurity is essential in a cow-calf operation to protect the investment in bull selection and ensure the overall health of the herd. By partnering with a reliable seedstock provider, producers can enhance genetics and animal health, reducing the risk of disease introduction and building a resilient cow herd. Join Casey Fanta and Dr. Erik Holum as they discuss how they use genetics and biosecurity to impact their seedstock at Wulf Cattle. Lisa Pederson, extension specialist with North Dakota State University, will discuss how to producers can use biosecurity plans and the Secure Beef Supply to improve their herds.
Trying to predict what the dairy market will do in 2025 is not easy. There’s the threat of higher tariffs, the danger of avian influenza and losing employees due to immigration reform, but there’s also room for growth. During a 2025 dairy market outlook presentation at Dairy Strong, Mike North, president of Ever.Ag, said tariffs are a big deal for farmers and something they should pay attention to since it may decrease exports and lead to lower sales.
Registration is open for the 2025 National Holstein Convention being held June 23-26, 2025, at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. The convention will feature local farm tours, educational seminars, Holstein Association USA’s Annual meeting, contests and workshops for Junior Holstein members, award recognitions, and much more.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released a statement following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): “On behalf our nation’s dairy supply chain, IDFA congratulates Mr. Kennedy on his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. We look forward to working with Mr. Kennedy to advance the health of Americans by encouraging consumption of fresh, wholesome, and nutritious dairy foods and protecting our nation’s consumers from foodborne illnesses. For too long, inflexible, burdensome regulations have stifled innovation and production efficiencies for dairy processors while outdated nutrition policies have discouraged Americans from consuming milk, yogurt, cheese, and other wholesome dairy products that contribute essential nutrients—including calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein—to our diets. America’s dairy industry stands ready to support Mr. Kennedy’s efforts to combat chronic disease, reduce foodborne illnesses, and ensure all Americans have access to safe and affordable dairy nutrition.”
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) released year-end pork export data last week, showing a volume of 3.03 million metric tons (+4 percent YoY) valued at $8.63 billion (+6 percent YoY). The results were summarized in a recent news release by the National Pork Board’s (NPB) strategic partner, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation posthumously recognized Dr. Nelson Cox as the recipient of the annual Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award. Cox worked as a research microbiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Services. The award is named in honor of Dr. Charles Beard, former director of the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory and former vice president of research at USPOULTRY.
Jonathan Cade, president of Hy-Line International, Des Moines, Iowa, was elected chair of the board of directors of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Cade previously served as vice chair. Cade has a degree from Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom (UK). Before becoming president of Hy-Line International, he served as managing director of Hy-Line subsidiary, Hy-Line UK International.
