The USDA recently announced it would be withdrawing a series of organic livestock standards that were put into place during the Obama administration. Organic groups across the country are not happy with the move. John Siemon, CEO of the Wisconsin-based Organic Valley Cooperative, says one of the most important things the standards addressed was animal welfare. The battle over the …
National Pork Board Invests in International Marketing-Part II
The National Pork Board has relaunched its focus on international marketing by renaming and restructuring its trade committee. Pork Checkoff vice president of international marketing Craig Morris says the committee is now known as the International Marketing Committee. Committee The International Marketing Committee is being streamlined to better engage with strategic partners. Streamlined The National Pork Board has increased its …
National Pork Board Invests in International Marketing-Part 1
The National Pork Board has made a significant increase in its budget for international marketing. This comes at a time when the United States is faced with large pork supplies and record exports. Pork Checkoff vice president of international marketing Craig Morris said a successful 2018 is dependent on exports. Exports The U.S. Meat Export Federation will receive the largest …
Alternative Antibiotic Gives Piglets a Boost
An amino acid produced naturally in humans, swine and other species shows promise as an alternative to antibiotics and growth promoters for piglets. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists found that L-glutamine fed to piglets produced positive growth and health effects. This news comes at an opportune time in light of the 2017 Veterinary Feed Directive banning the use of antibiotics in swine …
Pork Checkoff Invests in International Markets
This past year was a very successful year for pork exports. National Pork Board President Terry O’Neel says the Pork Checkoff has made a significant investment in building international markets. Markets O’Neel, who raises hogs at Friend, Nebraska, says the National Pork Board ended this past year in strong financial shape. Many pork producers also enjoyed positive margins. Margins For …
NPPC Commends USDA for Maintaining Essential Livestock Market Programs
Two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs critical to the continuity of livestock market operations will continue during the current federal government shutdown. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program, managed by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, is the sole source of market information on sales to packers of cattle, swine and lambs and on the subsequent sale of meat products. Inspection …
Key Agency Behind in Modernizing Nation’s Food Safety System
Despite recent improvements, a key agency responsible for the nation’s food safety is still way behind in modernizing the nation’s food safety system. That’s from the Food and Drug Administration’s own inspector general and lawmakers who have oversight of the agency .Congress gave the Food and Drug Administration the power years ago to force recalls of food blamed for illness outbreaks.  But …
USDA Proposes New Swine Slaughter Inspection System
After years of study and pilot testing USDA is proposing a new voluntary swine slaughter inspection system. (Gary Crawford and Carmen Rottenberg) USDA Proposes New Swine Slaughter Inspection System-1 Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Carmen Rottenberg talks about the nature and purpose of the new proposed inspection system for market hog slaughter establishments. USDA Proposes New Swine Slaughter …
Congressman Yoho Requests Flexibility on ELD Implementation
According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), as the Department of Transportation presses ahead with implementation of electronic logging devices (ELD), Florida Congressman Ted Yoho is asking Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to provide livestock haulers with a longer-term waiver from the ELDs. In his official letter, Yoho wrote “I would ask that the [Department of Transportation] issue an exemption for livestock haulers for a period of …
NPPC Supports New Pork Inspection Model
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a new pork processing inspection rule, a decision strongly supported by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). As a result, the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) HACCP Inspection Model (HIMP) will be expanded from five current pilot locations to full-scale implementation. “We support the USDA’s decision to advance HIMP as it introduces …