Warnock on Federal Disaster Aid and December Livestock Outlook Higher
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, a member of the Senate Ag committee, met with growers on an Albany pecan farm damaged by severe storms.
www.morningagclips.com reports, Senator Warnock discussed his efforts to secure federal disaster assistance for farmers impacted by these storms.
Earlier this year, Warnock introduced bipartisan legislation to protect America’s orchardists and growers by reforming the Tree Assistance Program, and says he’ll push to make sure it’s included in the next farm bill.
**The USDA’s December Livestock Outlook says higher cow slaughter and heavier-than-assumed carcass weights will offset lower fed cattle slaughter in the fourth quarter.
That will leave the beef production forecast for 2023 unchanged.
Expected heavier carcasses will carry over into early 2024 along with higher cow slaughter.
Fourth-quarter pork production was raised 25 million pounds to nearly 7.1 billion pounds, 2.4 percent higher than the same period last year.
**The USDA reminds specialty crop growers that assistance is available for producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses.
The expenses are part of the process for obtaining or renewing food safety certification through the Specialty Crops program.
Farm Service Administrator, Zach Ducheneaux says the program is one of the ways USDA helps support local and regional food systems and opportunities for small-scale producers.
The application for 2023 closes January 31st.
