WASHINGTON — Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) says he is disappointed with the 2012 Farm Bill approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee and is withholding his support for the measure due to inadequate coverage for important crops produced in Mississippi. Cochran, who serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and is a former chairman [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: March 28,2012
Tags: agriculture, bill, children, farmers, farms, federal agency, federal government, labor, legislation, legislative, minors, ranchers, ranches, youth
WASHINGTON — Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) are supporting legislation to stop a proposed new federal rule restricting youth employment on farms and ranches. The senators are original cosponsors on the Preserving America’s Family Farm Act (S.2221), which was introduced last week by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 28,2012
Tags: agriculture, bill, builders, contractors, farmers, foreign workers, illegal immigrants, immigrants, immigration, lawmakers, laws, legislation, legislators, producers, ranchers, workers
JACKSON — Building contractors and agriculture groups, including those representing the poultry industry and sweet-potato growers, say they’re against an immigration-enforcement bill awaiting debate in Mississippi. Their opposition indicates growing political difficulties for a bill supported by first-term Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who won office last November with the help of tea party groups and [...] [...]
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The U. S. Department of Agriculture will consolidate 11 offices in Mississippi with other USDA offices across the country. The list includes Farm Service Agency offices in Ashland, Ackerman, Fulton, Hernando, Coffeeville, Monticello, Raleigh and Purvis. A nutrition site in Jackson, an animal plant inspection service in Gulfport, and a rural development [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: February 17,2012
Tags: agriculture, animals, bulls, cattle, cows, goats, livestock, ranchers, ranches, rodeo, sale, steers
JACKSON — The 2012 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions was the most successful sale to date, bringing in almost $300,000. The Dixie National Junior Livestock Show, held each February in Jackson, has concluded for the last 43 years with the sale of champion market animals. Philanthropic buyers have contributed more than $4.5 million throughout [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: February 16,2012
Tags: agriculture, economic development, energy, Farm Bill, farmers, farms, federal government, legislation, legislative branch, programs, quality of life, ranchers, representatives, rural
WASHINGTON — In a Senate hearing on energy and economic growth for rural America, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) urged continuation of economic development programs in the Department of Agriculture that will help provide jobs and improve the standard of living in rural America. Cochran serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee that heard testimony from [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: February 1,2012
Tags: agriculture, Dining, eating and dining, farmers, farms, food, Healthy food, hospitaslity, initiative, produce, ranchers, ranches, restaurants
JACKSON — The Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association has unveiled a statewide initiative called “Eat Healthy Mississippi” that aims in helping Mississippi remove its status as the “fattest state in the nation.” “Eat Healthy Mississippi” is designed to promote locally grown produce in the preparation of dietitian-approved, Healthy Dining menu options at restaurants throughout Mississippi. [...] [...]
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it plans to close 11 offices in Mississippi as part of a $150 million cost-cutting measure that includes 259 closures nationwide. The Clarion-Ledger reports the Food, Nutrition office will close in Jackson. Farm Service Agency offices in Ashland, Ackerman, Hernando, Fulton, Coffeeville, Monticello, Raleigh and Purvis [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: December 19,2011
Tags: beef, cattle, food, food safety, health, healthcare, product recall, public health, ranchers, ranches, recall
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — A Nebraska meatpacker has recalled more than 40,000 pounds of ground beef products distributed in 16 states after a test confirmed the presence of E. coli, the Agriculture Department said Friday. The products were shipped to institutions and distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: December 9,2011
Tags: agriculture, cattlemen, courts, farmers, farms, hay, law enforcement, ranchers, ranches, scam, scheme
WESSON — A Wesson man has been charged with selling hay over the Internet. Authorities say the problem is James Darin Hoffman had no hay. Copiah County chief investigator Milton Twiner told The Clarion-Ledger Hoffman was freed on $50,000 shortly after his arrest Nov. 29. Twiner said Hoffman allegedly been selling hay to farmers in [...] [...]