Farm Radio

Having trouble viewing this email?  Click here   USMEF Statement on Executive Order to Help Ensure Safe, Stable Meat Production On April 28, President Donald Trump signed an  executive order  to ensure that meat production can continue during the COVID-19 crisis. More details on the executive order are available in this  White House fact sheet . U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement: The executive order will help ensure a steady, reliable supply of high-quality U.S. protein - not only for customers in the United States, but across the globe. The U.S. meat industry is already taking extraordinary steps to ensure worker safety, including COVID-19 testing, temperature checks, use of personal protective equipment and social distancing of employees. But further action is needed to stabilize our meat supply chain, and USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration's prioritization of safe a...

Broomfield, Colo.  - Along with greening grass and warming temperatures, spring also signals the start of farmers’ markets across Colorado. Farmers’ markets are considered essential businesses by the state and will open to serve Coloradans looking to purchase food and agricultural products. “Farmers markets are a fundamental part of Colorado’s food supply chain, which becomes more apparent in a year like this,” said Kate Greenberg, Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “Markets offer a great option for consumers to purchase the food they need for their families while supporting Colorado farmers and ranchers.”  There are more than 100 farmers’ markets across Colorado, with many opening in May and most operational by June. A  list of markets across the state , along with a  map of locations  is available at  coloradoproud.org . According to the  Colorado Farmers Market Association  (CFMA), visitors should check market webs...

Farmers, Ag Industry Groups Scrambling for Aid The Small Business Administration has been slow to approve many agricultural banks under the new Paycheck Protection Program. Politico says that the program has been overwhelmed with applications and is expected to run out of its initial $350 billion as soon as this week. “There’s a lot of farmers out there trying to line up for the funding,” says Todd Van Hoose, President of the Farm Credit Council. “By the time they get there, the money will likely be gone.” The Paycheck Protection loans weren’t originally designed for agriculture, but they could be valuable for the hard-hit segments that have larger workforces, such as dairy farmers and specialty crop growers. Van Hoose says farm creditors are in for a “heck of a task” because they have virtually no experience working with the Small Business Administration. While many businesses are focused on getting direct payments or loans, another avenue of aid will likely be commodity purchases....

Coronavirus-Related Cattle Industry Losses Estimated at $13.6 Billion (From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting) A study released this week estimates cattle industry losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will reach $13.6 billion. The study was commissioned by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and conducted by a team of agricultural economists. The study shows cow-calf producers will see the largest impact, with COVID-19-related losses totaling an estimated $3.7 billion, or $111.91 per head for each mature breeding animal in the United States. Without offsetting relief payments, those losses could increase by $135.24 per mature breeding animal, for an additional impact totaling $4.45 billion in the coming years. Researchers who contributed to the study say the current situation is very fluid and uncertain, and additional damages are likely. NCBA hopes the results will assist USDA in determining how best to allocate CARES Act relief funds to cattle producers. N...

Professor John Volckens’ 2,000-square-foot lab on the campus of Colorado State University is normally a place for experiments on air quality, pollution sensors, and how breathable particles can trigger disease. Over the last two weeks, the lab has suspended most of its usual activities and transformed into the official testing site for respirators and surgical masks for distribution throughout the state of Colorado. These forms of personal protective equipment are critical for ensuring the safety of front-line medical workers who are battling COVID-19 every day. On March 25, Gov. Jared Polis announced that CSU, and specifically the Center for Energy Development and Health which Volckens leads, is the state’s designated center for evaluating the safety and efficacy of protective gear, mostly medical masks, that are made by different vendors and sources and are destined for Colorado hospital workers. CSU’s role is to initiate and coordinate testing and provide recommendations to the...

WASHINGTON  – Today, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) announced the cancellation of the 2020 NCF-Envirothon to protect the health and safety of the general public and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The annual event was slated for July 26-Aug. 1, in Lincoln, Nebraska. “This was not an easy decision, but our primary concern is the health and safety of the students, as well as the general public, and we feel it’s in the best interest to cancel the 2020 NCF-Envirothon Nebraska event at this time,”  NCF Chairman Steve Robinson said . “We know that many students look forward to this competition and are truly sorry for this turn of events; however, we hope students stay engaged in the Envirothon mission, and we encourage them to look ahead to preparations for next year.” The top priority for the organizers is the health and safety of students, advisors, volunteers, sponsors and education partners. "Th...