The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed this week that the first commercial case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was discovered in South Dakota. APHIS says the virus was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock of 47,300 birds on October 4. Another case was also recently confirmed in a small non-commercial flock located in Idaho. The Canadian …
Smithfield Foods to Close North Carolina Pork Plant
Smithfield Foods will close its Charlotte, North Carolina pork-processing plant and transfer production to its Tar Heel, North Carolina facility. The company says the move is to increase efficiency and better utilize existing capacity, and comes as the company faces “abundant supplies and soft demand” weighing on pork prices. The company will provide financial and other transition assistance to the …
Delivery Innovation Could Reduce Hunger
An innovative way to reduce hunger in rural areas. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Delivery of food may be the way to increase access in rural America, according to a recent report by CoBank. While roughly one in ten Americans faces food insecurity, rural communities are particularly affected. Rural communities comprise 63 percent of all U.S. counties …
NCBA: OFF Act a “Narrow-minded” View of Checkoffs
Cattle producers continue to keep their eyes on the proposed Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act. Senior Director of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Tanner Beymer, said the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act would be damaging to the NCBA and other organizations. “It essentially would say that checkoffs are not allowed to contract …
FSIS Update on Peanuts Received
The Federal State Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued an update on the amount of peanuts that have been received and recorded thus far. Tyron Spearman runs through the new numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical …
Record Value for Mexico Fuels August Pork Exports; Modest Rebound for Beef
According to new data released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), August exports of U.S. pork were steady year-over-year. This was led by another tremendous performance in Mexico, as shipments totaled 226,519 metric tons (mt) in August, while export value fell 1.5% to just under $650 million. Exports to leading market Mexico remained on a record …
Trade Watching for New Numbers
A variety of new numbers are coming out Thursday. Mark Oppold notes traders will be watching some of those new reports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists …
Turkey Growers Increase Flock Size
The September USDA Turkey Raised Report indicates a four percent increase from 2022. Turkeys raised in the U.S. during 2023 is forecasted at 219 million this month. The top six states account for 68 percent of the turkeys produced in the U.S. during 2023. The largest turkey-producing state is Minnesota, at 39.0 million, up five percent from the previous year. …
National Dairy Herd Information Scholarship Applications Open
A scholarship opportunity for veterinary students. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA)announced it is accepting applications for $1,500 scholarships. They’ll go to third- or fourth-year College of Veterinary Medicine students. Applicants must be enrolled at a college that’s accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. To apply for …
FMMO Modernization Progresses Slowly
For the past few weeks, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has been involved with testimony concerning the USDA Federal Milk Marketing Order Modernization (FMMO) hearing. During a recent podcast Peter Vitaliano, NMPF’s vice president for economic policy and market research, talked about the hearing and what they have been working to do. Vitaliano notes various dairy producers have also taken part …