Delegates urged the administration and Congress to work together to end the government shutdown as soon as possible. The current shutdown means farmers and ranchers are being delayed in securing loans and crop insurance as well as disaster and trade assistance. Delegates voted to favor negotiations to resolve trade disputes, rather than the use of tariffs or withdrawal from agreements. [node:read-more:link]

 Some retailers and foodservice companies are asking for animals that have never received antibiotics (“no antibiotics ever” or NAE), but that request fails to recognize that animals — like people — get sick.That puts veterinarians in a corner, according to Joel Nerem, DVM, Pipestone Veterinary Services, Pipestone, Minnesota.“‘No antibiotics ever’ has become a very effective marketing tool,” for some retailers and foodservice companies, he told Pig Health Today.  He thinks a lot of this is driven by misconceptions about why and how antibiotics are used on the farm.“When you talk to [node:read-more:link]

A Mansfield man was arrested Jan. 14, after he admitted to setting more than a dozen race horses loose from the Stark County Fairgrounds, along Wertz Avenue.One horse ventured onto Meyers Lake, which was partially frozen, and drowned while first responders attempted a rescue effort. [node:read-more:link]

Thousands of Oklahomans could lose Medicaid coverage if the state is allowed to implement work requirements for the public health insurance program, according to a study from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. The study found anywhere from 4,000 to 13,000 adults could lose coverage.  [node:read-more:link]

While hackers and cybercriminals frequently target state computer systems, many states don’t require every employee to get cyber awareness training. Answering a seemingly routine HR email, the Utah workers typed in their credentials as requested.And then they had a paycheck stolen.Cybercriminals had tricked the state workers into opening fake links. [node:read-more:link]

Around the world, people eat far too much red meat and sugar, and nowhere near enough nuts, fruits and vegetables, according to a report released Wednesday. [node:read-more:link]

The U.S. Forest Service has built its first corral for wild horses, which could allow it to bypass federal restrictions and sell the animals for slaughter. The agency acknowledged in court filings in a potentially precedent-setting legal battle that it built the new pen in Northern California for mustangs gathered this fall on national forest land along the Nevada border because of restrictions on such sales at other federal holding facilities.The agency denies claims by horse advocates it has made up its mind to sell the more than 250 horses for slaughter. [node:read-more:link]

A $200,000 budget request by Gov. Brad Little for an Idaho board that manages money to pay a federal and state agency to kill wolves that attack livestock and big game is sufficient for fiscal year 2020, a board member told lawmakers. "We're fine with the $200,000 this year," Wolf Depredation Control Board member Carl Rey told the budget-setting Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, noting the board has a surplus this year."I will tell you that I don't think that is sustainable beyond fiscal year 2020," he said.The board contracts with the U.S. [node:read-more:link]

“When we have proper security, people aren’t going to come, except for the people we want to come, because we want to take people in to help our farmers, etc.” “You need these people. It will make it easier. … I’m glad I told you that because, look, you’re in the business and a lot of people don’t understand this. You need people to help you with the farms and I’m not going to rule this out. … You’ve had some people for 20-25 years that are incredible, and then they go home. And they can’t get back in. [node:read-more:link]