Pork Exports Robust in January; Slow Start for Beef Exports

Dan Beef, Cattle, Exports/Imports, Livestock, Pork, Sheep-Goats, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

According to new data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports maintained momentum in January after a strong finish last year. But U.S. beef exports, after a record-breaking 2022, slowed late in the year and that trend continued in January. Shipments of U.S. beef were well below the large totals from a year ago. …

ASI Spring Trip Dates Set for March 27-29

Dan Sheep-Goats

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) spring trip to Washington, D.C. is set for March 27-29. Sheep producers from state and national associations across the U.S. will visit our nation’s capital to meet with their congressional delegations on issues of interest to the industry. The trip will also include meetings with our ASI partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on lamb …

Chicken Leads U.S. Per Person Availability of Meat

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Marketing, Poultry, This Land of Ours

Chicken has become the nation’s most available meat source. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The supply of chicken available to eat in the United States continues to outpace beef, according to new food availability data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. In 2021, 68.1 pounds of chicken per person were available for human consumption, on a boneless, …

Electronic ID Part of New Animal Disease Traceability Rule

Dan Beef, Cattle, Livestock, USDA-APHIS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a proposed rule to amend animal disease traceability regulations. It would make electronic ID tags both visually and electronically readable. Rod Bain reports this is designed for certain cattle and bison undergoing interstate movement. USDA Chief Veterinarian Rosemary Sifford explains the proposed rule available for public comment on …

Study Shows Transition to Cage-Free Eggs Comes With Problems

Dan Eggs, Poultry

A new study funded in part by United Egg Producers and the United Egg Association shows the transition to cage-free eggs will increase costs and reduce profits. It also shows that producers may not be able to make the 2026 deadline. The study says, “Conversion from conventional to cage-free housing is costly for both egg producers and final consumers.” There …

Looking at Cash Rental Rates for Pasture Land

Dan Economy, Livestock, Pasture

With spring on the horizon, many cattle producers are looking closely at cash rental rates for pasture land. Mark Oppold has information about what those are currently running in various parts of the country. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

NPPC Leads Effort to Overturn EPA’s New Proposal on Rodenticides

Dan Environment, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork

EPA announced a proposal to overturn decades-long policies regulating farmers’ and ranchers’ use of rodenticides. The proposed changes would enhance current restrictions, create new certifications and trainings, add more requirements to labels, reclassify some products to restricted use pesticides and, if not the most important aspect, presents a major biosecurity risk to farms. A challenging, time-consuming and expensive proposal for …

USDA Developing New Ways to Track COVID in Wild and Domestic Animals

Dan Beef, Cattle, Coronavirus, Dairy, Equine, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, USDA-APHIS

Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing new tests to identify and track the COVID virus in wild and domestic animals. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is implementing $300 million to conduct monitoring and surveillance of susceptible animals for the COVID virus. Through the initiative, ARS, in partnership with …