Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack To Serve Second Term

By , Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and White House officials announce that Tom Vilsack will be staying on as Agriculture Secretary for a second term under President Obama.

Vilsack is a former Iowa Governor and will likely be spending the next several months lobbying Congress to pass the five-year $500 billion Farm Bill.

"The secretary has been made aware that the president would like him to continue to serve," Matt Paul, USDA's director of communications, said.


Trending Video

Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves



In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.