USDA’s Sheep and Goat’s report released last week shows all sheep and lambs inventory in the U.S. on January 1, 2024 totaled 5.03 million head, down two percent from last year. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.67 million head on January 1, 2024, decreased two percent from 3.74 million head in 2023. Ewes one-year-old and older, at 2.87 million head, were …
AVMA Plans Annual Legislative Fly-in
Veterinarians will visit Capitol Hill next Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities with lawmakers. As part of the American Veterinary Medical Association‘s (AMVA) annual legislative fly-in, advocates will urge congressional offices to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson says, “We need to do more to attract and retain veterinarians in rural and underserved areas, …
Interest Rate Cuts Still Being Discussed
Some on Wall Street continue to discuss just when we could see interest rate cuts. Mark Oppold looks at what they are thinking at this time. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Pork Producers Concerned About FDA Antibiotics Proposal
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) submitted comments critical of the Food and Drug Administration’s draft guidance on the duration of use of certain antibiotics in food animals. NPPC says the proposal would “deny the ability for a veterinarian to prescribe antimicrobials appropriately, burden pharmaceutical companies, and may jeopardize antibiotic access.” Opting for a mobile clean room can significantly streamline …
Feed Industry Applauds FEED Act
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) appreciates the introduction of the innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act. Supporters say it will improve the regulatory environment for new animal feed ingredients. The FEED Act will amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a regulatory pathway for a new category of animal food substances that act solely within animals’ gut …
Lawmaker Takes on California’s Prop 12
California’s Prop 12 was once again in the spotlight before the House Agriculture Committee at last week’s “Member Day” hearing. The hearing allowed lawmakers who are not on the ag committee to promote some of their agricultural and nutrition priorities for the next farm bill. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, pointed to the costs for pork producers because of California’s Proposition …
Paraguay Fresh Beef Importation Rule Goes into Effect
by Will Jordan USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) final rule on the “Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay” goes into effect this week, on Nov. 14, 2023. Published in the Federal Register last month, the rule has drawn many questions from producers. According to the APHIS’s rule, they expect fresh beef imported from Paraguay to be between …
Strong October U.S. Pork Exports, Modest Rebound for Beef Exports
According to new data from USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports posted another strong performance in October, led by record-large shipments to Mexico and broad-based growth elsewhere. And while beef exports in October remained well below last year’s large totals, there was improvement from September led by stronger demand in Mexico and Taiwan. …
China Approves More U.S. Beef and Pork Plants for Export
by Will Jordan and USMEF China’s General Administration of Customs recently approved 18 U.S. beef establishments and 12 U.S. pork establishments for export to China – the first new U.S. plants cleared for export to China in about 10 months. Erin Borror, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) vice president for economic analysis, says the plant approval process was streamlined by …
Tracking Various Agricultural Commodities for the Year
Last week Mark Oppold talked about various agricultural commodities and how November was not a very friendly month for many of them. Today he looks at how they’ve performed so far this year. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024