The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report was released last Friday, and in the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy section, the forecast for total meat production for 2017 was lowered from last month but is raised for 2018. Beef production for 2017 was lowered primarily on lighter carcass weights which more than offsets higher …
Pig Pens: A Look at Mirrors and Mats
by USDA Agricultural Research Service What a pig sees when it looks into a mirror may help Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists improve livestock housing. Studying livestock behavior, stress and other well-being and production factors is the job of animal scientist Jeremy Marchant-Forde and his colleagues at the ARS Livestock Behavior Research Unit in West Lafayette, Indiana. Improving an animal’s environment …
Pork Checkoff Builds Momentum for Secure Pork Supply Plan
Plan will minimize business disruption from foreign animal diseases The National Pork Board, with major support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is creating a Secure Pork Supply Plan to help America’s pig farmers respond quickly and successfully to a major threat, such as a foreign animal disease (FAD). The plan will enhance communication and coordination of all pork chain …
U.S. Meat Export Potential to Ecuador
Earlier this week, the U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador discussed market conditions in that country and ideas for expanding U.S. beef and pork exports to that market. Joe Schuele has the story. Read more about a “Surf and Turf” reception recently conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation at Ambassador Chapman’s Quito residence. At the event, U.S. beef and …
World Pork Expo Underway in Des Moines, Iowa
The 2017 World Pork Expo is getting underway today (Wednesday) In Des Moines, Iowa. The annual event includes the Pork Checkoff and the National Pork Producers Council and features thousands of U.S. and global pork producers, industry professionals and industry experts at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event offers learning sessions and seminars, a trade show, and a hospitality tent …
Beef and Pork Exports Moderate in April, Remain Above Year-ago Levels
U.S. red meat exports last month slowed moderately from the pace established in March, but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports reached 99,000 metric tons in April, up 13 percent from a year ago, valued at $550.4 million. For January through April, beef exports were up 14 percent in volume and 18 …
Backyard Flocks Sickening Hundreds of People
The Centers for Disease Control says more than 370 people have reported Salmonella infections from backyard flocks this year, and more than one-third of them were children under five years old. The CDC is reporting eight separate outbreaks across 47 states in backyard flocks. These outbreaks are expected to continue for the next several months, according to a public warning …
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Egg Lawsuit Against California
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition by Missouri to hear a case against California by six states. Led by Missouri, the states sought to overturn a California law setting requirements for housing egg-laying hens. California voters approved the law in 2008, but Missouri, along with Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky and Iowa challenged the law. In 2015, the American Farm …
Maryland Joins California in Banning Routine Antibiotics Use in Livestock
A bill passed by Maryland’s legislature makes the state the nation’s second to ban the routine use of antibiotics in livestock. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act prohibits administration of antimicrobial drugs to cattle, swine, and poultry that are not sick, a practice public health experts say can fuel the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. The law …
Four New PEDV Cases Confirmed in Manitoba
Agriculture officials in Canada announced four new cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or PEDV, bringing the total number of cases to nine confirmed cases since the beginning of May. National Hog Farmer magazine reports Manitoba Pork, the Provinces Pork Association, will hold a telephone town hall for producers Friday to discuss biosecurity protocols aimed at preventing the spread of …