The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging House lawmakers to oppose an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill that would gut the federally authorized commodity research and promotion programs, commonly known as checkoffs. NPPC joined more than 40 agricultural organizations on a letter sent to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., asking …
USTR To Review Thailand’s GSP Trade Benefits
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has agreed with a request from the National Pork Producers Council to review Thailand’s eligibility for the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program because of that country’s failure to provide access to its market for U.S. products, including pork. NPPC, which last month filed a GSP review petition with USTR, is …
Sustainability Efforts in the Wool Industry
We talked yesterday again about the sustainability efforts in the beef industry. But other sectors of agriculture are also working on sustainability, including the sheep and wool industry. The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) recently provided information through Dr. Paul Swan from Australia, International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) technical advisor on sustainability and the wool life-cycle analysis. He says it’s …
USDA Proposes Rule to Eliminate Redundant Hog Carcass Cleaning Regulation
The Department of Agriculture last week proposed to amend federal meat inspection regulations to repeal what USDA calls a redundant regulatory requirement for hog slaughter establishments. The Food Safety and Inspection Service says the proposed rule would remove a redundant requirement that requires hog slaughter establishments to clean hog carcasses before cutting. Establishments are required to have a Hazard Analysis …
China Steps Up Pork Inspections, Slowing Imports
China is stepping up inspections of pork imports from the United States. Ports are opening and inspecting every cargo that arrives, according to a report by Reuters, compared with inspections carried out only “randomly” in the past. Some trade experts see the move, along with other similar actions by China, as a warning to the United States in response to …
Fake Veterinarian Takes Part in Missouri Cattle Fraud Scheme
A man posing as a veterinarian admits to taking part in a $4.7 million investment fraud scheme in Missouri. A Drovers’ report says Robert D. Hawkins has consented that he aided Cameron J. Hager in defrauding more than 90 investors across 21 states in the scheme. The Missouri Secretary of State’s Securities Division says Hawkins allegedly posed as a veterinarian …
Backyard Chicken Coop Considerations
Continuing her series on raising backyard chickens, Cathy Isom gives you some important things to consider for your backyard chicken coop. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Backyard Chicken Coop Considerations For anyone who decided to take the plunge and bring home those cute baby chicks, after about six weeks you’ll need housing for them that’s a little …
Analyst: Labor Shortages and Volatile Feed Prices Ahead for Meat Industry
A Rabobank analyst says the U.S. could be on the tail end of the second longest expansion of its economy in history. Rabobank Analyst Don Close told the North American Meat Institute this week there are implications for the meat industry, including a pending labor shortage and possible volatile commodity prices ahead, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. Close warns …
If It’s Meat, It’s USDA’s Responsibility to Make Sure It’s Safe
If a food product is labeled “meat,” Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says it is USDA’s responsibility to ensure its safety for consumers. Stephanie Ho has the story. If It’s Meat, Its USDA’s Responsibility Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, …
USDA Seeks Feedback from Growers about 2018 Crops, Stocks, Livestock Inventories and Values
During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact nearly 700 producers across Florida to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2018. “Two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS …