Pig Disease Research Could Save Pork Industry Millions

Dan Pork, Research

Researchers are zeroing in on ways to combat a major pig disease that costs hog producers millions of dollars a year. Gary Crawford has more details Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support …

Fewer Poultry Losses Expected in Current Avian Influenza Outbreak vs 2015

Dan Avian Influenza, Poultry

Some wonder how the current avian influenza outbreak compares to the big one back in 2015. Gary Crawford has a story looking at how the two events do compare. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

USDA Updates Livestock Insurance Options to Offer Better Protection, Flexibility

Dan Cattle, Economy, Livestock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated three key crop insurance options for livestock producers: the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM), and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) revised the insurance options to reach more producers, offer greater flexibility for protecting their operations, and ultimately, better meet the needs of the country’s swine, …

USDA to Provide $50 Million in Support to U.S. Cotton and Wool Apparel Manufacturers Impacted by the Pandemic

Dan Economy, Sheep-Goats, USDA-FSA

(WASHINGTON, May 5, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a commitment of $50 million to assist eligible apparel manufacturers of worsted wool suits, sport coats, pants, or Pima cotton dress shirts; Pima cotton spinners; and wool fabric manufacturers and wool spinners. The new Cotton and Wool Apparel (CAWA) program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative and the …

Very Concerning Pasture and Rangeland Condition Report

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Livestock, Pasture

The national average for pasture and rangeland conditions as of the first of May is very concerning. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey explains the concern behind USDA’s first pasture and rangeland condition report for the year, and how it is reflecting the ongoing drought across the western part of the country. Rippey noted 18% of the nations’ pasture and rangeland conditions are rated …

African Swine Fever Vaccine Passes Tests Required for Regulatory Approval

Dan Pork

Scientists with USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) announced last week that a vaccine candidate for African swine fever passed an important safety test required for regulatory approval. The successful safety test moves the vaccine one step closer to commercial availability. The new results show that USDA’s vaccine candidate does not revert to its normal virulence, after being injected into swine. …

ASI Podcast: Recording Data during Lambing

Dan Sheep-Goats

The April edition of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) Research Update podcast offers sheep producer’s information on Recording Performance Data during Lambing. This information is provided by Dr. Tom Murphy of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska. Dr. Murphy said, “An animal’s genetic value for all of its traits for the rest of its life …

CoBank: Rising Meat Prices Will Test Consumer Demand

Dan Beef, Cattle, Livestock, Marketing, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats

U.S. consumer demand for meat at the retail level remains exceptionally strong despite rising prices caused by increased production costs and supply chain challenges. A new CoBank report says that may change soon. Once the full effect of increased costs of producer price inflation shows up in the retail meat case, demand will get tested. “Retail meat prices will remain …

USDA Lets More Packing Plants Return to Faster Line Speeds

Dan Pork

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service last week announced it approved the Clemens Food Group pork packing plant in Coldwater, Michigan, to run faster line speeds under a one-year trial program. The agency now has let four plants operate with faster harvesting line speeds, which could increase packing capacity and alleviate supply issues in the face of strong pork demand. …