Senator introduces Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act –  Senator Cory Booker, D, N.J. has introduced legislation that would place the liability for responsible disaster mitigation on animal agriculture “corporations and industrial operators” by requiring those entities to register with USDA.

PIC invests in SwineTech –  On Nov. 29, PIC (Pig Improvement Company) announced a strategic minority investment in SwineTech, a farm management solutions company.

Battling the threat of avian influenza in New York – In mid-February, the owners of a New York backyard flock noticed sick birds that eventually died three days later. Within five hours of getting a swab of the birds’ airways, Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center and the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory determined it was New York state’s first case of a deadly strain of avian influenza.

Senate urged to confirm McKalip and Taylor nominations – A diverse group of food and agriculture organizations sent a letter to Senate leaders Chuck Shumer and Mitch McConnell calling for the swift confirmation of important agriculture positions.

ORKA food technology launches latest innovation: egg tester plus –  Once an egg is laid, its quality cannot be improved. Thus, the need for reliable egg monitoring and measurement to ensure the highest level of quality is consistently maintained in layer operations.

Michigan agricultural, chemistry industries call for congress to intervene on rail labor dispute – Leaders of trade organizations representing hundreds of Michigan businesses today called on Congress to intervene in the rail labor dispute that threatens to shut down America’s freight rail network in early December. 

Sampling for vitamin and mineral status: new publication offers insight – It’s important for producers to know the vitamin and mineral statuses of animals in their operation but it takes more than a simple glance to accurately determine. 

McDonald’s hits pork producers with price-fixing lawsuit – McDonald’s Corp. is accusing leading suppliers of pork of conspiring to fix pork prices over the past 14 years.

University of Missouri Extension office breaks ground on new livestock facility in Mount Vernon, Mo. – Construction begins on a new facility focused on agricultural research in Mount Vernon.

Ag groups urge congress to pass the Workforce Modernization Act – Agricultural group representatives relayed statistics demonstrating the seriousness of the labor shortage in American agriculture. The bill passed in the House in March 2021. It now lies with the Senate as they complete the lame duck session.