Cathy Isom begins this series by giving you some considerations to keep in mind when raising free-range chickens. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For many people, nothing says “homestead” like the image of chickens happily scratching around a farmyard without a care in the world. However, free-ranging is not as simple as just releasing your birds out …
Another Meatpacking Plant Suspends Operations
Tyson Foods announced it will be suspending operations indefinitely at its plant in Waterloo, Iowa, which is its largest U.S. pork plant. That plant’s closure means approximately 15% of pork processing capacity across the country has gone offline. More than 150 of the country’s largest meat plants are in counties where the rate of COVID-19 infections is already relatively high. …
USDA’s Latest Meat Outlook Shows Lower Prices Across the Board
Covid 19 is affecting many aspects of agriculture, including the prices being paid for some of those products. And that is reflected in USDA’s latest outlook for the meat sector, which according to a story from Stephanie Ho, shows lower prices across the board. World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says USDA is forecasting a reduction in the global …
Extension Economist Offers Reassurances about Meat Supplies
(ACES) — Smithfield Foods has closed a major pork processing facility in South Dakota causing concern about meat supplies and possible shortages among consumers, industry professionals and political pundits. An economist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System said consumers should think about the industry as a whole and the long-term logistics of moving not only meat supplies but also all …
UF Surveys to Identify Impact of Pandemic on Florida’s Agriculture and Marine Industries
(UF/IFAS) — With agriculture and marine industries occupying a large portion of Florida’s economy, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting these sectors. Starting today, faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents …
Animal Disease Reporting List Comment Period Underway
USDA is currently accepting public comment on the list of reportable animal diseases and new ways to expedite the reporting process. Rod Bain has the story. Dr. Bruce Wagner, with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), explains existing animal health and disease reporting systems, and a proposal to create a new list of reportable animal diseases. Sponsored ContentFlorida …
Hog Farmers Face COVID-19 Financial Crisis
(NPPC) — The impact of COVID-19 has caused hog values to plummet, creating a financial disaster for pork producers nationwide who face a collective $5 billion loss for the remainder of the year. At a press briefing, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) outlined the crisis as described by producers and the immediate relief they are requesting from the administration …
Livestock Groups Send Letter Advocating for Needs of Rural Healthcare Providers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to request rural healthcare providers have resources and funding to properly respond to the COVID-19 virus. “Rural healthcare providers have unique needs …
Meatpacker Closings Hard on Food Supply Chain
(NAFB) — Smithfield Foods will close its pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until further notice because of employees who tested positive for the coronavirus. It’s just one of several major agricultural facilities temporarily closing operations due to the pandemic. Virginia-based Smithfield Foods says the closures are a trend that may eventually put a dent in the U.S. …
Rapid Response May Have Limited Avian Influenza Problems in the Carolinas
Fast action may have limited highly pathogenic avian influenza problems in the Carolinas. And as Gary Crawford reports, that discovery may not result in the world banning U.S. poultry products, as the response will likely be regionally targeted. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of …