NPPC Economic Update Gives Snapshot of Current Pork Industry Opportunities and Challenges

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

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released its latest pork industry economic update that summarizes key pork industry market indicators through January 2023. The takeaways include: The U.S. pork industry is a pillar of the U.S. economy, supporting jobs, sales, and value-added activity throughout the pork supply chain,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC vice president and pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “It is important to raise …

2022 Beef Exports Set Annual Records; Strong Finish for Pork Exports

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

According to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. beef exports set annual records for both volume and value in 2022, while pork exports finished lower year-over-year but their value was the third largest on record. Despite slowing toward the end of the year, beef exports reached 1.47 million metric tons (mt), …

National Chicken Council Calls on FDA to Take Measures to Alleviate Egg Prices

Dan Economy, Eggs, Poultry

(Washington, D.C.) — Avian influenza’s outbreak and subsequent high egg prices have caused the poultry industry to research a policy that forces the broiler industry (broilers are chickens raised for meat) to destroy perfectly nutritious and safe eggs. The National Chicken Council (NCC) petitioned FDA to reverse or modify this policy on Thursday. “In light of the pressure the current HPAI outbreak is …

Price of Chicken Wings Easing in Time for the Big Games

Dan Poultry, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

It’s a break for the piggy-bank just in time for the big games. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Retail prices for chicken wings have been trending lower in recent months and in time for national sporting events such as the upcoming Super Bowl and the college basketball championship tournaments. Previously, a combination of limited supplies and strong …

Senators Urge USDA to Address Avian Flu Immediately

Dan Avian Influenza, Legislative, Poultry, Regulation, USDA-APHIS

A group of Senators urges the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to take swift action to address the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The lawmakers asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to quickly use funds provided by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, the lawmakers said, “it …

New Ways to Track COVID in Animals

Dan Beef, Cattle, Coronavirus, Dairy, Livestock, This Land of Ours

The USDA is developing new ways to track COVID in wild and domestic animals. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. 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 is implementing …

Wings on the Menu for the Big Game

Dan Poultry, This Land of Ours

While typically its barbecue in Kansas City and cheesesteaks in Philly, when it comes to the Super Bowl, the wing is still king. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Chicken Council (NCC) this week released its annual Chicken Wing Report, projecting Americans to consume a record-breaking 1.45 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl LVII weekend. This …

Study Shows Rotational Grazing Adoption Varies by Region

Dan Cattle, Pasture, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

A study sheds light on grazing practices around the nation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Data published Monday by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows rotational grazing adoption varies by region. Rotational grazing is a management practice in which livestock are cycled through multiple fenced grazing areas to manage forage production, forage quality, animal health, and environmental …

Around the State with Commissioner Pate

Dan Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Avian Influenza, Poultry

Back during the first week of December last year, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial backyard flock in Lawrence County. This week’s “Around the State with Commissioner Rick Pate” features Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier. He told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman how important it is for commercial and backyard poultry operations to …