Just hours after the Florida House gave final approval Thursday, a bill that would expand legal protections for farmers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the House voted 110-7 to support expanding the state’s “Right to Farm” law, a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. The Senate passed the bill (SB …
NPPC Holding Legislative Action Conference
Pork producers from across the country are gathering virtually this week, taking part in the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Legislative Action Conference (LAC). Various topics are being discussed with lawmakers, including expanding market access to Vietnam, visa reform to address a livestock agriculture labor shortage, and foreign animal disease prevention. “Trade remains crucial to the continued success of the U.S. pork …
Tyson Foods Unveils $425 Million Poultry Facility in Tennessee
Tyson Foods opened the company’s new poultry complex in Humboldt, Tennessee last week. The $425 million project, which includes a processing plant, feed mill and hatchery, represents Tyson’s biggest investment in Tennessee. Several hundred workers have been hired so far and are being trained for the start of production later this month. The processing plant, which is expected to employ …
USDA Grant Program Needed for Local Meat Processors
The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging them to open applications for a grant program to help local meat processors. The legislation, authorized by Congress in December, set funding aside to improve capacity at local meat lockers, but CFRA says the agency has been slow to respond. In a letter to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, …
February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, But Outlook Remains Strong
The February red meat export numbers have been released, and according to the new data, exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in 2020. The numbers, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), indicates exports were consistent with projections and USMEF still expects 2021 beef exports …
Petition Asks EPA to Regulate Large Livestock Farms
Two dozen environmental and consumer groups are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate large dairy and hog farms under federal air pollution laws. Groups like the Sierra Club and the Government Accountability Project say in their petition that “The EPA has the duty and authority to regulate these methane super-emitters under the Clean Air Act as part of …
Feral Swine Control Program Launches in Alabama
Thanks to funding through the 2018 Farm Bill, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ASWCC) has launched a program to help property owners in certain areas of Alabama control feral swine. The Alabama Feral Swine Control Program, funded by a grant through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), allowed ASWCC to launch a three-year …
NPPC Applauds the Philippines’ Decision to Import More Pork
The Philippine government will provide more market access for pork imports to combat rising pork prices and stabilize supplies. Securing better access to the Philippines market has been a top, long-term priority for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). NPPC President Jen Sorensen says, “While we are saddened by the spread of ASF in the Philippines, we appreciate the opportunity …
Checkoff Dollars Important to USMEF Overseas Programs
The Beef and Pork Checkoff programs are national marketing and research programs designed to increase the demand for beef and pork products not only here in the U.S., but also abroad. One of the contractors to each of the checkoff programs is the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). And USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently told Southeast AgNet those dollars …
Registration Opens for Chicken Marketing Summit 2021
It was announced this week that registration is open for the 2021 Chicken Marketing Summit. The annual executive conference, hosted by WATT Global Media, is scheduled for July 18-20, 2021, at the Omni Amelia Island Resort in Fernandina Beach, Florida. This year’s Summit will include eight general sessions focusing on the forward-looking theme “Charting post-pandemic success.” There will also be a focus on …