The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the August numbers for milk and meat production along with new price forecasts. Rod Bain runs through the latest numbers. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discusses some of the adjustments to livestock price projections made by USDA this month. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle …
USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act
A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act (HPA) requirements. Announced last week, the proposed changes aim to eliminate horse soring, a practice that gives horse owners and trainers an unfair advantage in …
Groups Applaud First Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus
The U.S. Senate has established a Veterinary Medicine Caucus for the first time ever. The caucus will focus on increasing awareness toward veterinary-related matters in Congress, educating lawmakers and their staffs about the challenges facing the profession, and advancing the legislation that benefits the veterinary community. The bipartisan caucus will be led by Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). …
Study Shows Positive Economic Impact of Soil Health
A new study links soil health and farm profitability. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Soil Health Institute (SHI) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the results of a nationwide study showing how improving soil health can improve a farmer’s profitability. The study shows farmers can build resilience across a diversity of soil types, …
Excellent First Half for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports below Record Pace
According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports concluded an excellent first half of 2023 with another strong performance in June. As for beef exports, while well below the record pace established in 2022, June exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to …
NASS Releases 2023 Land Values Summary
The U.S. farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $4,080 per acre for 2023. That’s up $280 per acre, or 7.4 percent, from 2022. The U.S. cropland value averaged $5,460 per acre, an increase of $410 per acre, or 8.1 percent, from the previous year. The U.S. pasture value averaged …
U.S. Suppliers Meet with Latin American Red Meat Buyers
Red meat buyers from Central and South America and the Caribbean recently met with U.S. suppliers in Cartagena, Colombia, during the 11th edition of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Latin American Product Showcase. With 70 U.S. exporting companies exhibiting at the showcase, 220 importers had the opportunity to meet U.S. suppliers and arrange purchases of a wide range of U.S. red …
Smithfield Foods Closing 35 Missouri Hog Farms
We told you earlier this week that Tyson Foods had announced the planned closure of four of their chicken processing facilities in the U.S. Now, Smithfield Foods has announced they will close 35 hog farm operations in Missouri. According to a state-required workforce adjustment notification, 92 employees would be affected by the closures slated for this month. Murphy Brown LLC, …
Large Pork Producers Don’t Favor Overturning Prop 12
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would overturn California’s Prop 12. Reuters says some of the country’s biggest pork producers who’ve already spent money to comply with the California requirements don’t favor throwing out Prop 12. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would curb states’ ability to regulate agricultural products sold within their borders. The bill was introduced …
Tyson Foods to Close Four Chicken Facilities
Tyson Foods Monday announced the planned closure of four chicken processing facilities in the U.S. They will close facilities in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Corydon, Indiana, Dexter, Missouri and Noel, Missouri. The company will shift production to other facilities and cease operations at the impacted locations in the first half of fiscal year 2024. Donnie King, Tyson Foods President and …