Consumers are paying less for food this year as the Consumer Price Index for grocery store items is 2.3 percent lower than last year, all while biodiesel production is higher than ever. The National Biodiesel Board says: “More biodiesel production helps the food supply, despite what opponents incorrectly claim.” Biodiesel production has grown steadily most years since Congress enacted the …
Cardiovascular Disease and Red Meat Consumption
Consuming red meat in amounts above what is typically recommended does not affect short-term cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol, according to a new review of clinical trials from Purdue University. While during the last 20 years, there have been recommendations to eat less red meat as part of a healthier diet, red meat can …
HPAI Outbreaks in Asia, Europe Prompting Biosecurity Measures
New outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Asia and Europe have prompted more extensive biosecurity measures. Meat Industry Publication Meatingplace reports those measures include bans on poultry and poultry product imports.
USCA Requests Status on U.S. Beef Trade with China
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association last week requested an update on the status of trade negotiations with China about the export of U.S. beef.
Canada-U.S. Trade Not Broken, No Need for Trump Fix
Canada’s trade minister says the world-leading trade relationship between Canada and the United States does not need to be on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s list of things to fix once he takes office.
U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 4 Percent
As of December 1, there were 71.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 4 percent from December 2015, and up slightly from September 1, 2016, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board Appointments Named
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of 39 members to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All 39 appointees will serve 3-year terms. Newly appointed members representing cattle producers are:
November Egg Production Up 10 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.53 billion during November 2016, up 10 percent from last year. Production included 7.44 billion table eggs, and 1.09 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.01 billion were broiler-type and 81.0 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during November 2016 averaged 367 million, up 7 percent from last year. November egg production per 100 …
USDA: $5 Million in Funds for Smart Technology Innovations in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of up to $5 million for research to strengthen the science behind the next generation of internet-connected agricultural implements and resources through the Cyber Physical Systems program. Funding for this program is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the …
Georgia Dock Poultry Pricing Suspended Indefinitely
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has suspended the Georgia Dock weekly chicken-price index indefinitely. The Department this week announced the move, ending the index that companies operating in that state have used to determine prices for nearly 45 years.