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United States Department of Agriculture

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Feds Issue Order For National Milk Testing To Monitor Bird Flu Feds Issue Order For National Milk Testing To Monitor Bird Flu
Feds Issue Order For National Milk Testing To Monitor Bird Flu The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up efforts to monitor avian influenza (better known as bird flu) with a new federal order mandating national testing of raw milk for the H5N1 virus. The order requires all producers of raw, unpasteurized milk across the US to provide samples for testing as part of a broad initiative to prevent the spread of bird flu from potentially infected dairy cattle to humans.  The move follows recent detections of the virus in dairy herds in several states, underscoring the importance of controlling outbreaks at the source. While pas…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Nearly All Of CT Under Severe Drought Conditions Nearly All Of CT Under Severe Drought Conditions
Nearly All Of CT Under Severe Drought Conditions Severe drought conditions are being felt throughout Connecticut, leading to dried-out lawns, brittle trees, and lowered water supplies. The US Drought Monitor's map of drought conditions across the country, which is released every Thursday, classified all Connecticut counties as experiencing severe drought conditions as of Thursday, Sept. 1, except for a portion of New London County which is experiencing extreme drought. The website reported that drought persisted or expanded across much of the Northeast since the previous update, with increases in severe drought conditions in Connecticut, …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Dangerous Bird Flu Detected In Connecticut Dangerous Bird Flu Detected In Connecticut
Dangerous Bird Flu Detected In Connecticut Bird flu has been detected in wild ducks in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The agency announced on Monday, Feb. 28 that routine surveillance by DEEP biologists and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff detected the presence of avian flu in wild ducks during an inspection. DEEP officials noted that wild birds can be infected with the virus and show no signs of illness, and as they migrate, the disease can potentially spread to new areas. Signs of the avian flu include depression, decreased feed and water consumpt…

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by Zak Failla
Business
US Spat With Mexico Sparks Fears Of Avocado Shortage US Spat With Mexico Sparks Fears Of Avocado Shortage
US Spat With Mexico Sparks Fears Of Avocado Shortage The United States Department of Agriculture has suspended avocado imports from Michoacán, Mexico, leading to concerns that prices may soon increase, The Washington Post reported. The agency suspended the avocado imports after a USDA inspector in Michoacán received a threatening message, the news outlet reported. “In a few days, the current inventory will be sold out and there will be a lack of product in almost any supermarket,” Raul Lopez, Mexico manager of Agtools, told the Washington Post. Lopez told the news outlet that with few avocados available, prices "will rise dras…

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
This Christmas-Time Staple Is In Short Supply, New Report Says This Christmas-Time Staple Is In Short Supply, New Report Says
This Christmas-Time Staple Is In Short Supply, New Report Says Lower peppermint production has led some businesses to receive a smaller supply of candy canes this holiday season, according to a recent report. The owner of Economy Candy, located in New York City, told the New York Post that global shortages impacted the store, with the business only receiving half of its candy cane order for the holidays. The news outlet said a survey of other businesses in the area saw some having trouble keeping candy canes in stock, while others did not. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, has declined in recent years, and fell from 5.45 millio…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
NY Man Accused Of Keeping Exotic Animals In Unsafe Conditions NY Man Accused Of Keeping Exotic Animals In Unsafe Conditions
NY Man Accused Of Keeping Exotic Animals In Unsafe Conditions A man has been accused of keeping a sloth and a wallaby in unsafe and unsatisfactory conditions in his New York home. The United States Department of Agriculture cited Long Island resident Larry Wallach after searching his East Rockaway home and allegedly found a sloth living in an enclosure in his garage during the June 2021 inspection. "Hanging from the ceiling in the interior of the sloth enclosure, is a light fixture and on the floor of the interior is a portable electric humidifier with the cord exposed," the USDA complaint said. "The sloth has access to the exposed ligh…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Food Safety During Power Outages: Here's When To Save It, When To Throw It Out, USDA Says Food Safety During Power Outages: Here's When To Save It, When To Throw It Out, USDA Says
Food Safety During Power Outages: Here's When To Save It, When To Throw It Out, USDA Says After Tropical Depression Ida brought power outages to the region, some may be wondering what to do with the food stored in the refrigerator.  United States Department of Agriculture said fridges keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage.  The department said people should keep the fridge door closed as much as possible, and discard perishable foods after four hours without power. This means discarding foods such as meat, poultry, fish and eggs. US agencies said individuals should never taste food to try to determine if it has gone bad.  Find a chart showing…

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by Nicole Valinote