The Alleged Arrest of Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

May 6, 2022

Every year the seemingly endless sphere of the world wide web gets a bit more wild. Today’s proof? A headline reading “Fact Check: False claim that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was arrested by military.”

The fact check story is coming from USA Today. They report that social media feeds in recent days had been issuing claims that Secretary Vilsack was arrested by the military on April 26, 2022 in connection with what was described as the “calculated destruction” of food processing facilities around the country.

PolitiFact reported in April that there was no evidence to suggest the fires were intentional or part of a ploy to trigger a nationwide food shortage. The claims of Secretary Vilsack’s arrest come back to the “Real Raw News” website. While this is a site that does contains humor, parody, and satire, they also boast a “fight for truth and freedom of the press in an oppressed society.” Nowhere within their story is it written that this is a satirical piece.

USA Today reports that, in conversation with USDA spokesperson Kate Waters, she verified via email on May 2 that the arrest claim was false and noted Real Raw News’ history of fabricated reporting.

Photo Source: USDA

Denver slaughterhouse ban "closes door to generational prosperity"

Martin said Colorado agriculture plays a role outside of the state and globally, and so as scientists, the CSU team that compiled the study felt it was important to speak up in the absence of informat...

Real Beef Triumphs: Lab-Grown Protein Off Military Menus

July 24, 2024 - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will not pursue lab-grown protein projects for human consumption in the military, e...

Yearlings and Calves Fetch Top Prices at NLVA Summertime Classic Sale

July 24, 2024 - The Northern Livestock Video Auction's (NLVA) Summertime Classic sale offering 189,000 head of feeder cattle this week. The event, held on July 22, 23, 24 & 25, witnessed robust demand...

Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Hay Scam

July 23, 2024 - A Kansas man admitted to a fraud charge last week of devising a scheme to steal from Montana and Wyoming ranchers who were seeking to buy hay to feed their livestock during the drought...

Decision on Mexico-U.S. Corn Dispute Expected This Fall

July 23, 2024 - The U.S. has made a strong case in the dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a top official in the Biden administration...

Working to Reduce Obstacles for Red Meat Exports to Canada

July 23, 2024 - Canada is a top five destination for both U.S. beef and pork exports, but shipments are sometimes slowed by regulatory issues. The recent transition to the Public Health Information Sy...

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Comments on President Biden Dropping Out of Presidential Race

July 22, 2024 - "In the 38 years that I have known President Biden, he has consistently and selflessly put our country first—and today is no exception," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "As a r...

Cargill Invests $1 Million in Research on Methane Reduction in Cattle

July 22, 2024 - In an effort to help fund research studying sustainable animal agriculture practices and reducing the environmental impact of the beef industry, Cargill has issued a $1 million grant t...

July 1 Cattle on Feed Up 1% From Year Ago

July 19, 2024 - Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on July 1, 2024. The inventory was 1%...

A Strong Bond: Gage and Lambo

When Gage Graves, who is now 11 years old, moved with his family to the Yoder, Colo., area they were all hoping to build upon his existing love of horses with more animals that would be made possible...