CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu

Mexico reopens borders, sets new guidelines

By Gabe Eckert
Georgia Cattlemen's Association

Officials in Mexico informed the USDA in early April of new requirements for the importation of selected variety meats, veal and tallow into their country.

Combined with Mexico's March 3 announcement to reopen the border to boneless beef, the U.S. has now regained access for products that accounted for $746 million, or 74 percent of approximately $1 billion in exports of beef and tallow to Mexico in 2003.

The U.S., Mexico and Canada have been working together to harmonize measures and regulations related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in North America. This includes work toward North American standards for risk mitigation based on sound science.

"This action, combined with previous actions by Mexico and commitments by the Canadian Government, demonstrates solidarity within North America to trade in beef and beef products based on internationally accepted scientific standards for human and animal health," said USDA Secretary Ann Veneman.

Tyson Foods Inc. reduced beef production at some of its U.S. plants during the second week of April. According to the company, this was in reaction to tight supplies of market-ready cattle, slow beef sales and reduced beef exports.

Six beef plant have been closed and other plants are operating at reduced levels. The company did not identify the affected plants.

In an effort to help keep domestic beef demand strong in light of closed exports market, the beef industry is expanding its summer grilling campaign.

The new checkoff-funded advertising, as part of the overall "Taste of America Summer Grilling Promotion," will tap into Americans' passion for beef during the summer grilling season. The Taste of America Summer Grilling Promotion will celebrate the anniversary of the hamburger, which made its public appearance at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.

Dozens of marketing elements make up this checkoff-funded summer campaign. For more information, go to the following Web site: http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/.

Gabe Eckert is director of communications for the Georgia Cattlemen's Association.
Experts/Sources:
The 2020 Southeastern Hay Contest grand prize was awarded to Brian Johnson of McKenney, Virginia, for his alfalfa hay sample (not pictured). Pictured from left to right are Ash Alt, Massey Ferguson Field Execution Manager; Lisa Baxter, UGA Forage Extension Specialist; Leanne Dillard, Auburn University Forage Extension Specialist; and Marcelo Wallau, UF Forage Extension Specialist. CAES News
2020 Southeastern Hay Contest winners announced
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 370 entries were submitted in the 2020 Southeastern Hay Contest (SEHC), just below the record-setting number of submissions for 2019. More states submitted samples to the contest than ever before, with nine represented.
Georgia 4-H offers digital environmental education series CAES News
Georgia 4-H continues diverse online programming
This past year has presented Georgia 4-H with the opportunity to create new and innovative programming options to meet the challenges of virtual school options and social distancing required by the COVID-19 crisis. Because these circumstances have precluded students from attending traditional environmental education programming at Georgia 4-H centers and 4-H club meetings at local University of Georgia Coooperative Extension offices, teachers and parents have needed entertaining and educational online resources to keep youth engaged in non-traditional learning environments. In response, Georgia 4-H launched “From The Mountains To The Sea,” “Zoom into Science” and “Blast Off with Georgia 4-H” to allow the state’s youth to continue their participation in 4-H programming remotely.
Since it launched in 2013 and 2014, Georgia’s citrus industry has grown to about 2,000 acres of commercial citrus planted in southern Georgia, primarily cold-hardy satsumas. CAES News
UGA citrus trials support growing industry in Georgia
Ongoing citrus rootstock trials being conducted by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Lowndes County hold promise for increased yields, improved fruit quality and greater disease resistance.
Robin Buell will join the University of Georgia in fall 2021 as its newest Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. (photo courtesy of MSU) CAES News
Plant genomicist Buell to join UGA as Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar
Robin Buell, University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and a renowned plant genomics expert, will join the University of Georgia in fall 2021 as its newest Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar.
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture and UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development are jointly sponsoring a second survey to document the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture industry in the state. (photo from Georgia Farm Bureau) CAES News
Deadline extended: year-end economic survey now open to Georgia farmers
A survey is now being conducted by the University of Georgia in an effort to get a year-end perspective of the impact of the pandemic on Georgia’s agricultural industry.
A UGA student campus sustainability grant will provide funds to install regionally appropriate fruiting trees and shrubs near Lake Herrick to provide experiential learning, on-site education and long-term fruit foraging opportunities for students and visitors. CAES News
Students awarded campus sustainability grants
A University of Georgia student-led project hopes to produce fruitful results with an edible landscape near Lake Herrick.