**The latest Voice of California Agriculture podcast, produced by the California Farm Bureau, discusses conditions that have caused the U.S. cattle inventory to decrease to its lowest in more than 70 years.

The USDA says drought, deteriorating pasture conditions, inflation and high input costs reduced herd sizes in recent years, causing beef prices to skyrocket.

The episode also covers a rise in bird flu cases and challenges from new organic livestock regulations.

New York Food Pantries Report Increase In Of Those In Need
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**The USDA is investing $1.7 billion for purchasing local and regionally produced foods and domestically produced foods for emergency food assistance.

These investments, made possible by the Commodity Credit Corporation, will help American producers by ensuring they have the certainty of access to local and regional markets as well as the financial benefits.

USDA is at the same time ensuring schools, childcare facilities, and emergency food providers have access to healthy foods.

For more information on food support, go to www.usda.gov.

Berlin Animal Clinic Treats Creatures Big And Small
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**Veterinarian shortages are not new. Anyone who ever needed a vet in the middle of the night will tell you that, especially rural vets … AND it’s about to get worse.

Penn State Professor Jody Kull says about 50% of rural veterinarians currently in practice are within five years of retirement.

Only 5% are vets working on food, fiber or /milk-producing animals.

And, only about 3-4% of graduating veterinarians enter livestock practice.

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