Mexico is turning to the European Union and Latin America to offset any potential declines in U.S. pork imports. Mexico recently announced a 20 percent tariff on U.S. pork shoulders and legs starting next month in response to steel and aluminum tariffs placed on Mexico by the Trump administration. Mexican officials told Politico the nation will allow 350,000 tons of …
Livestock Groups Happy with FMD Funding in Farm Bill
The Senate farm bill released last week includes language establishing a vaccine bank to deal with an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, a priority for livestock groups. The House version of the bill includes FMD language, as well. National Pork Producers Council President Jim Heimerl called the language “encouraging,” adding that: “With a vaccine bank, we’ll finally be able to adequately …
CDC Investigating Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Backyard Poultry
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating several multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks. As of June 1, 2018, 124 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 36 states. Several different types of Salmonella bacteria have made people sick, according to the CDC’s investigation. 21 …
APHIS Wildlife Services Conducts First Field Trial of Feral Swine Toxic Bait
Plans Modifications to Mitigate Hazards to Non-Target Species USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently conducted the first of two field trials of a sodium nitrite toxic bait on free-roaming feral swine. Feral swine are an invasive species causing extensive and costly damage and disease threats to crops, property, native ecosystems, livestock health, and human health. Feral swine …
FMD Language In Senate Agriculture Panel’s Farm Bill
The National Pork Producers Council was encouraged that the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry included in its 2018 Farm Bill — the text was released today (June 8, 2018) — language establishing a vaccine bank to deal with an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). FMD is an infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals, including cattle, pigs and …
National Pork Board Elects New Officers
Steve Rommereim, a pork producer from South Dakota, was elected president of the National Pork Board at the organization’s June board meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, as part of the World Pork Expo. Rommereim is the owner, manager and operator of Highland Swine, which markets 10,000 pigs annually. He also grows corn and soybeans, as well as has a cow/calf …
Pork Producers Respond to Mexican Retaliation
Mexico levied punitive tariffs – 10 percent effective today (June 5, 2018), escalating to 20 percent on July 5 – on unprocessed pork (not including variety meats) in retaliation for tariffs on its metal exports to the United States. Mexico’s decision follows similar retaliation in early April by China, which imposed additional 25 percent tariffs on U.S. pork, reducing live …
Trade Retaliation Already Hurting Pork Producers
The National Pork Producers called for a swift resolution to the U.S.-China trade dispute because pork producers are feeling the pain. Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes says U.S. pork farmers have lost $2.2 billion on an annualized basis. The losses are a direct result of the events leading up to and following China’s 25 percent punitive tariffs in retaliation …
Brazil Trucker Strike Disrupting Ag Exports
The Brazilian trucker strike has officially disrupted supply and exports of farm products from one of the biggest ag exporting countries in the world. A Reuters report says Brazil is the top exporter of soybeans, sugar, coffee, and chickens. The strike over high fuel prices has brought Latin America’s largest economy to a complete stop. Roads are empty and major …
Biosecurity Important for Poultry Owners
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reminding those in the poultry industry of the need for biosecurity after the recent confirmation of a case of virulent Newcastle disease in California. As Rod Bain reports, it serves as a reminder that flock owners need to practice proper biosecurity measures. Biosecurity Important for Poultry Owners Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins …