As of December 1, there were 73.2 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from December 2016, but down slightly from September 1, 2017, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings in the report were: Of the 73.2 million hogs …
USDA Issues Permit for Santa’s Reindeer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a movement permit to Mr. S. Claus of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 7 p.m. December 24, 2017 and 7 a.m. December 25, 2017, through or …
Beef, Pork, and Turkey Production
While the forecast for beef production continues to climb, steer prices are going the other way. Gary Crawford has a report that looks at the latest USDA forecasts for the beef, hog, and turkey sectors. Beef, Pork, and Turkey Production Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Egg Supply Dropping Prices, Pressuring Cage-Free Market
An abundance of inexpensive, conventionally produced eggs is depressing demand for higher priced cage-free eggs. A new report by CoBank says egg production, conventual and cage-free, has surged since the 2015 avian flu outbreak. More than 229 major food companies following the outbreak pledged to use cage-free eggs by 2025. Meanwhile, total table egg production is expected to return to …
Organic Trade Association Filed Complaint About Organic Livestock Rule
The Organic Trade Association filed a complaint in federal court regarding the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule a week before the Department of Agriculture announced its withdrawal. USDA on Friday published noticed that it would withdraw the rule because the rule exceeded USDA’s statutory authority. The rule is subject to 30 days of public comment. The Organic Trade Association …
Resources Available on Antibiotics Use
The Pork Checkoff has taken a leadership role in the responsible use of antibiotics. National Pork Board director of producer and public health Dr. Heather Fowler sees value in having farmers tell that story. Farmers The FDA has released a new report on the use of antimicrobials in all food producing animals. National Pork Board vice president of science and …
NPPC Applauds Withdrawal Of Organic Rule
Listening to the farmers it would have affected, Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue announced that his agency will withdraw a proposed organic rule for livestock and poultry, a move hailed by the National Pork Producers Council. The Obama-era regulation – the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule – would have incorporated into the National Organic Program welfare standards that were not …
Livestock Producers Need a Fix to CERCLA and EPCRA Issue
Three weeks ago a Washington, D.C. Circuit Court issued a stay regarding farm emissions reporting required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The court-ordered stay, which is in effect until January 22, was welcome news to livestock producers across the country. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief …
FDA Report on Antibiotics Released
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its 2016 summary report on antimicrobial use in food producing animals. National Pork Board vice president of science and technology Dave Pyburn says this research confirms reduced use of antibiotics at the farm level. Antibiotics This is a milestone in antibiotic stewardship. Pyburn credits the success back to pig farmers and their …
USDA Predicts Lower Red Meat and Poultry Production
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts lower red meat and poultry production due to lower beef and pork production forecasts. Beef production is lowered on the current pace of cattle slaughter and lighter carcass weights. The pork production forecast is lowered on smaller-than-anticipated hog slaughter this quarter although …