Why Thanksgiving isn’t quite as vital as it used to be for the turkey industry. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The turkey industry is less dependent on holiday whole bird sales these days. USDA livestock analyst, Shayle Shagam explains. “The turkey industry has diversified in terms of providing more products, either in the sense of ground turkey …
New Rule Will Enhance Transparency in Poultry Markets
A new rule will enhance transparency in the poultry industry and establish a more level playing field for contract growers. Gary Crawford has more details.
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022
(AFBF/WASHINGTON/November 15, 2023) — Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won’t take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which …
Concerns Raised Over EPA’s Proposed Wastewater Regulation
Many in the livestock industry are very concerned about a proposed wastewater regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning wastewater from meat and poultry processing facilities. It is expected to require meatpackers and processors to install millions of dollars of upgrades to their wastewater management systems. So, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Chief Legal Strategist, Michael Formica, along with representatives from the U.S. Poultry …
HPAI Confirmed in Alabama Commercial Poultry Pullet Farm
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/Nov. 3, 2023) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial pullet farm in Marshall County, Alabama. Samples from the flock were tested at the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, …
USDA Unveils New Rules for Organic Livestock Producers
Certified organic livestock and poultry producers in the U.S. will soon have new production standards to follow. The USDA has unveiled new rules for organic livestock producers that establish clear, strong and consistent standards for organic livestock and poultry production. It levels the playing field for organic livestock farmers, ranchers and businesses and promotes fairer, more competitive markets for their products, …
Two Positive HPAI Cases in Iowa
The Iowa Ag Department and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed two positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in that state. One of the sites is a commercial turkey flock, and the other is a mixed species backyard flock. Both agencies remind commercial and backyard owners to prevent contact between their flocks and …
Beef, Poultry Production and Price Forecast Update
How does USDA’s October outlook on beef production connect with its price forecasts for this year and next? Rod Bain has more on that, along with a look at broiler and turkey production and price forecasts, which indicate tighter supplies but mixed prices received by producers.
New Animal Disease Early Detection Partnership
There’s a new partnership for early detection of animal diseases. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It’s a new partnership among the nation’s animal health and biodefense facilities to improve early detection of emerging animal diseases. This is Christy Loiacano, coordinator of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service …
HPAI Infections Now in Three States
Health officials have euthanized a Minnesota commercial turkey flock after tests confirmed it was positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The flock contained approximately 140,000 birds and is the state’s first confirmed case of the disease since last spring. As is typically the case during spring or fall, officials say the disease is likely connected to the seasonal migration …