Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Livestock”
U.S. beef exports delivered more value in June despite shipping fewer pounds overseas, while pork exports felt the impact of temporary trade restrictions that have now been resolved. According to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, June beef exports totaled nearly 89,000 metric tons, down 6% from a year ago. Even so, export value …
With the upcoming Farm Bill 2.0 review happening later this week, several agricultural-related organizations are voicing their opinions of what should be included in the bill. One organization in particular that has been very vocal for several months is the National Pork Producers Council. The NPPC is especially concerned about Proposition 12. According to the NPPC resource website, California’s Proposition …
USDA’s latest pasture and rangeland condition report offers a snapshot of how forage is holding up across the country as producers move through the heart of the summer grazing season. Conditions vary widely from region to region with some areas benefiting from timely rainfall, while others continue to battle heat and dryness. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey breaks down the latest …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking a major step toward restoring livestock trade with Mexico. USDA announced a phased reopening of southern ports of entry beginning with the Douglas, Arizona, cattle crossing on August 24. The move comes after nearly a year of restrictions designed to protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat of New World Screwworm, a …
The battle against the new world screwworm isn’t being fought with insecticides or fences. Instead, USDA is deploying an unusual weapon, millions of sterile flies. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a proven strategy called the sterile insect technique or SIT. The idea is simple. Scientists raise screwworm flies in specialized facilities and expose them to gamma radiation, making …
Mexico has lifted all remaining pseudorabies-related restrictions on U.S. pork offal, reopening an important export market and relieving a costly bottleneck for the pork industry. The restrictions had been in place since late April after PRV was detected in five Iowa boars and were costing U.S. exporters an estimated $6-7 million per week in lost sales. USMEF Vice President of …
A major environmental settlement in Oklahoma could have implications for poultry-producing states across the Southeast. After more than two decades of litigation, Oklahoma Attorney General Drummond has announced a nearly $44 million settlement with six poultry companies over pollution concerns in the Illinois River watershed. The lawsuit originally filed in 2005 accused poultry growers and integrators of contributing to nutrient …
Droughts have affected several parts of the country, causing decreases in pasture and rangeland conditions. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses updates on pasture conditions. “We did see a one-point increase in the very poor-to-poor ratings for pastures nationally,” said Rippey. “Now 36 percent, up from 35 percent a week ago. The good-to-excellent rating dropped a point from 34 percent last …
The bacon, lettuce, and tomato season is going to help an already surging pork trade. Meanwhile, cattle trade battling three-month lows. We’re starting to see more fresh produce stands along the roadsides as we move deeper into July. Lean hog futures at four-week highs now in mid-July, even with ample supplies and heavier weights. BLT season certainly going to help, …
The USDA is expanding the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, giving cattle producers faster access to financial assistance when drought reduces available grazing. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program, commonly known as LFP, provides payments to eligible livestock producers who suffer grazing losses because of qualifying drought or wildfire. One of the biggest changes announced by the USDA affects how quickly producers …
