A recent Rabobank report says competition between major exporters has intensified in the global pork trade, meaning the competitive landscape will continue shifting in the years ahead. Low-cost producers like Brazil and the U.S. will likely have an advantage, while Europe’s position is expected to weaken following increasing market and regulatory requirements concerning animal welfare and sustainability. Countries adopting effective …
Efforts Being Made to Address Rural Veterinary Shortages
Lawmakers have reintroduced the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, formerly known as the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. Introduced in both the House and Senate, the legislation would expand its reach. The Program helps increase access to food animal veterinary services in rural areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt. The legislation would end the federal …
Looking at 2024 Beef, Pork and Broiler Production and Prices
Some in the cattle industry are wondering if the current trends of shrinking cattle supplies and higher prices will continue in 2024. Gary Crawford has a story looking at that and how hog producers could see better prices next year. Mark Jekanowski, USDA Outlook Board Chairman, also has the 2024 projected forecasts for broiler production and prices. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle …
Prices of Retail Eggs Continue to Fall
If you’ve noticed you’re paying less for eggs, you’re not imagining things. Gary Crawford has the story coming up in today’s This Land of Ours report. A friend of mine called me to task this week for my coverage of the latest consumer price index for food. His complaint was that I neglected to talk about the price of pigs, …
APHIS Finalizes Changes to Import Regulations for Horses
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is finalizing amendments to its import regulations for horses. These amendments will better align our regulations with international standards and allow more flexibility for permitted imports, while continuing to mitigate the risk of bringing equine diseases into the United States. The regulations also provide APHIS with …
Pasture and Rangeland Poor Conditions Continue to Expand
Continued dryness over much of the country is behind the growing very poor to poor pasture and rangeland condition ratings for the nation as a whole. Rod Bain has the story. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has more information about pasture and rangeland in the very-poor to poor condition category by state. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle …
September is National Chicken Month
September is National Chicken Month, celebrating the most-consumed meat in the U.S. Two-thirds of all chickens in America are raised in Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. Chicken is also one of the top agricultural exports for the U.S. Foreign markets are increasingly important, accounting for $4.4 billion and 16 percent of world production in 2022. The U.S. …
FAPRI Releases U.S. Baseline Outlook
The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri released its annual U.S. Baseline Outlook report. It includes projections for agricultural and biofuel markets and helps in evaluating alternative scenarios for agricultural policy. “Projected prices for most crops, poultry, and dairy products all retreat in 2023 from recent peaks, and so do some production expenses,” says …
NPPC President Not Willing to “Bet the Farm” on Prop 12
Now that California’s Prop 12 is in effect, hog producers around the nation are having to decide if they’re going to change their operations to comply. National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Scott Hays says it’s an individual choice, and one his family farm turned down. “If you think about it from a producer perspective, most of the cost is …
Good July for Pork Exports but Slow for Beef
Building on a robust first-half performance, July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). But, beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January. Starting with the good news, pork exports in July were up 5% year-over-year, while the export value …