Mexico Shopping for Non-U.S. Pork

Concerns over the U.S.-led effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement has prompted Mexico to consider other options for pork imports. National Hog Farmer magazine reports U.S. pork industry leaders shared that message at last week’s World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. For instance, if the U.S. would abandon NAFTA, Mexico would be poised to place a …

Withdraw ‘GIPSA’ Rule, Say NPPC, Pork Producers

The National Pork Producers Council in comments submitted again urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to withdraw a regulation related to the buying and selling of livestock. It also delivered to the agency comments from 630 pork producers and others in the pork industry, opposing the regulation and asking that it be withdrawn. The comments were on an interim final …

Meat Production Forecast Lowered

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 …