Third USDA action week targets African swine fever

Sep 27, 2023

Gearing up for a proactive stance against African Swine Fever (ASF), the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting its impactful third annual ASF Action Week from October 2 - 6, 2023. Swine producers, farmers, and pig enthusiasts across the U.S. are invited to come aboard and delve into the protective measures against ASF.

ASF may be a stranger to the U.S., but its presence in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2021 has necessitated heightened vigilance. Dr. Rosemary Sifford of APHIS warns of the severe ramifications – a 10-year, $75 billion struggle if ASF infiltrates the U.S.

In response, APHIS is fostering collaborations with states and industry, fortifying safeguards, and emphasizing prevention as the cornerstone of swine protection. A series of informative sessions, insights from industry partners, and the “I Protect Pigs” photo contest will mark the week, all accessible through social media and the official website.

Free resources, including engaging videos and guides, are available for participants to enhance their knowledge and preparedness. Join the collective effort, be part of the conversations, and contribute to the safeguarding of U.S. swine herds essential for both domestic and international food supply.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.