Changes Needed in Farm Bill Safety Net Outlined at Senate Hearing

Dairy farmers in Michigan and across the nation need federal lawmakers to revise the safety net created in the 2014 Farm Bill to provide them adequate risk management protection, according to a dairy farmer from eastern Michigan who testified in Frankenmuth on Saturday at a Senate hearing. Darrin Siemen of Harbor Beach, Mich., told a Senate Agriculture Committee field hearing …

Weekly Livestock Market Report

Here are the Alabama and Georgia livestock market reports for the week ending May 5th, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for both states.   AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended May 5th, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,800 head compared to 11,483 last week and 8,086 year ago. Compared to …

Record Volume for U.S. Pork Exports in March; Beef Exports Remain Strong

U.S. pork and beef exports capped a strong first quarter with excellent March results that included a new record volume for pork, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports reached 227,955 metric tons (mt) in March, up 16 percent year-over-year and topping the previous monthly high set in November 2016. …

NMPF Urges Dairy Imitators to Comply with Food Labeling Standards

America’s dairy farmers have a clear message for plant-based food companies that have been meeting in California this week to assess the consistency of the labeling of their products: Dairy imitators must start complying with federal regulations that require foods such as milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt to be made from real milk. “At a time when consumers want …

Secretary Perdue Announces Arrival of First Shipment of U.S. Beef to Brazil

Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the first shipment of fresh U.S. beef has arrived in Brazil following a 13-year hiatus.  The entrance of American beef into the Brazilian market ushers in promising long-term economic opportunity for U.S. beef producers. “With Brazil’s large market reopened to the United States, U.S. beef exports are poised for new growth. I look forward to …

NMPF, USDEC Organize Dairy Fly-In on Capitol Hill to Build Support for Trade with Canada, Mexico

U.S. dairy leaders from across the country visited Washington, D.C., this week to urge Congress and Trump Administration officials to hold Canada accountable for its trade violations and hasten the repeal of Canada’s controversial new dairy pricing system. During a fly-in rally organized Tuesday and Wednesday by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), …

NM Attorney Launches Probe of U.S. Beef Processors

New Mexico’s Attorney General is launching a probe into the business practices of some of the nation’s largest beef processors. He contends the state’s ranchers and cattle farmers are being “harmed by out-of-state corporations.” The Attorney General, Hector Balderas, says he’s concerned about the “unfair and anti-competitive practices” of companies like Cargill, JBS, Tyson Foods, and the National Beef Packing …

UF Project to Select the Best Brahman Genes

by Brad Buck, University of Florida/IFAS With help from cattle producers through the Florida Cattle Enhancement Fund, UF/IFAS researchers hope to develop Brahman cattle that can tolerate heat better, produce more tender meat and improve their fertility. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers would like Brahman cattle owners from around Florida to participate in the project. …

Organic Farmers Push for Welfare Standards Implementation

Organic dairy and livestock farmers are pushing for Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to let animal welfare standards formed at the end of the Obama Administration to go into effect. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says the farmers argue that the long sought-after rules will give consumers what they want. The measure has long been supported by the USDA’s Organic Advisory Board …