According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the U.S. hog inventory dropped four percent. As of December 1st, 74.2 million hogs and pigs were found on U.S. farms, which is down 4% from December 2020 and down 1% from the September Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. Of the 74.2 million hogs and pigs, 68.0 million were market hogs, while 6.18 million …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …
New H-2A Labor Wages Effective Dec. 29
A recent issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Dec. 29. H-2A workers are foreign agricultural workers who are allowed to work in the United States temporarily. In recent years, the vast majority of Florida citrus has been harvested by H-2A workers. The Employment and Training Administration …
Various Issues Pushing Up Pork Prices but Not Profits
A report issued this week notes retail pork prices are rising, but not industry profits. Economists with Iowa State University, North Carolina State University and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says prices are rising due to increased transportation costs, supply bottlenecks and delays and increased labor costs throughout the pork chain. Those factors were either caused or exacerbated by …
Port Problems Plague Producers
The ongoing supply-chain crisis is a big headache to businesses and consumers alike, with no end in sight for the immediate future. Perishable products are particularly at risk, as even a week or two delay can affect product quality. The port delays that caused the supply-chain crisis began on the West Coast with labor shortages due to the pandemic. These …
USDA Releases 2020 Sheep Death Loss Report
The USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) has released the Sheep Death Loss 2020: Sheep and Lamb Predator and Non-predator Death Loss in the U.S. report. The study is a collaborative effort between USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service; USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services; and NAHMS. The iterations occur every five years along with NASS’s Sheep …
Beef Export Value Shatters Annual Record; Pork Exports Still on 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), October 2021 was another strong month for U.S. red meat exports as beef export value continued to soar. October pork exports were below last year’s large total but year-to-date shipments remained slightly above the record pace of 2020. Beef …
Challenges When Caring for Livestock in the Winter Time
How to care for Livestock in the winter time. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Winter can present challenges when caring for livestock, when it comes to protection, food, and care. Starting with their water source, you’ll need to regulate water temperatures to avoid freezing. Also, monitor the quality of the water. Is it muddy, dirty, or contaminated? …
Expanding Lamb’s Presence in the Retail Sector
The lamb industry continues its efforts to grow its products in the retail sector, after a shift in marketing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With more on that story here’s Rod Bain. Pete Camino of the American Lamb Board explains how his industry needed to shift marketing efforts from restaurant to retail as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how that …
APHIS Proposes Amendments to Import Regulations for Horses
The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) seeks public comments on proposed amendments to its import regulations for horses. The proposed amendments would better align regulations with international standards, according to USDA. The proposal also allows both APHIS and the equine industry more flexibility for permitted imports, while continuing to mitigate the risk of bringing contagious …