A bill proposed in the last session of Congress has surfaced once again in this session, specifically in the House of Representatives. The bill is designed to make Electronic Logging Devices and hours of service regulations friendlier to those who transport livestock. The legislation is called the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act and was introduced by Florida Republican Ted …
Farmers and Ranchers Digest Information on Alternative Protein Sources
Whether it is called fake meat or clean meat, products containing alternative sources of protein have been appearing in supermarkets and restaurants around the country, and are competing with traditionally raised animal agriculture products. Farmers and ranchers at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention engaged with experts on what alternative sources of protein are, who backs them and …
Animal Agriculture Alliance debuts Sustainability Impact Report
On Monday, the Animal Agriculture Alliance released its “Sustainability Impact Report” focusing on animal agriculture in the U.S. The report highlights how the animal agriculture industry shares the same values as today’s consumer with its never-ending commitment to animal care, environmental stewardship, responsible antibiotic use, food safety and nutrition. The 33-page report covers nine industries: dairy, beef, veal, pork, chicken, …
Meat Inspections, Livestock Price Reports Continue During Shutdown
USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors and agency employees who produce the twice-daily livestock price reports remain on the job despite the ongoing government shutdown. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), early last year, strongly urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to deem as essential FSIS meat inspectors and the Agricultural Marketing Service staff responsible for operating and administering the Livestock Mandatory …
Equine Infectious Anemia-Positive Horses Confirmed in Paulding County, Georgia
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) Animal Industry Division has confirmed three positive cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in quarter horses at a Paulding County facility. This makes eight confirmed cases in 2018. In compliance with federal guidelines and protocols, the affected horses were humanely euthanized. There is no cure or vaccine for EIA. The remainder of the horses …
New Study Shows U.S. Pork’s Long-term Sustainability Progress
A new study from the University of Arkansas confirms that America’s pig farmers are producing a product that has become increasingly sustainable over the past five decades. According to the new study, A Retrospective Assessment of U.S. Pork Production: 1960 to 2015, the inputs needed to produce a pound of pork in the United States became more environmentally friendly over …
Shutdown Delays Smithfield N.C. Trial
A federal judge has delayed the Smithfield Foods trial in North Carolina as the case is another victim of the government shutdown. The start of the case was postponed because juror’s pay could not be guaranteed, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. A federal judge delayed the trial scheduled to begin this week, and noted the hearing would be rescheduled …
Government Shutdown Causing ELD Confusion
According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Federal Government shutdown has caused uncertainty for livestock haulers operating under the electronic logging device (ELD) exemption. Misleading media reports touting the ELD delay as “permanent” further confused the situation. NCBA clarified that the ELD delay is only temporary and Congress needs to take additional steps to provide haulers with regulatory relief. Here is what NCBA Vice President of Government …
Poultry Production Likely Slower in 2019
U.S. broiler markets are still weak, and prices are depressed. As a result, Rabobank says poultry production is likely to slow down in 2019. Nan-Dirk Mulder, a senior analyst for animal protein at Rabobank, says the outlook for the global poultry industry will gradually improve as the year progresses. The biggest improvements will likely arrive in the second half of …
Second Round of Trade Aid Payments Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward on the second and final round of trade mitigation payments to farmers hurt from retaliation by America’s trading partners. Commodity producers are now eligible to receive market facilitation payments (MFP) on the second half of their 2018 production. USDA has been sending out the first round of MFP payments to producers …