More COVID-19 Tests for Florida Ag Workers

Dan Citrus, Coronavirus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Labor and Immigration, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced updates to COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry, Miami-Dade, Collier and St. Lucie counties for farmworkers. The effort to provide access to no-cost testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and county governments.  Testing services will continue as …

Injuries and Illnesses in Poultry Processing Fall Below All Manufacturing for First Time

Dan Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration, Poultry

(NCC) — The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses within the poultry sector’s slaughter and processing workforce has fallen below all manufacturing for the first time since the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began recording injuries and illnesses information in 1994. The total recordable poultry processing illness and injury rate for 2019 was 3.2 cases per 100 …

Pork Exports Remain on Record Pace; Beef Exports Trend Lower

Dan Beef, Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Pork

(USMEF) — September exports of U.S. pork increased 10% year-over-year, keeping 2020 exports on a record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were fairly steady with last year in major Asian markets but trended lower overall. Pork exports reached 222,475 metric tons (mt) in September, with value increasing …

Changes Imminent for the National Poultry Improvement Plan

Dan Poultry

There are imminent changes coming to USDA’s National Poultry Improvement Plan. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, the plan helps the nation’s poultry industry with biosecurity surveillance, and it will also include a focus on rules for Newcastle Disease. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

USDA Co-hosts Free Livestock Risk Management Webinar

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Livestock, USDA

(USDA) — The Extension Risk Management Education Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are hosting a webinar on Nov. 12 for agricultural producers and professionals focused on livestock risk management. The webinar is free to attend and will provide information on livestock markets, price risk, and risk management options available through USDA. “We strongly encourage farmers and ranchers to …

Deadline Extended for AASP Poultry Grower Programs

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Poultry

DEADLINE EXTENDED Due to statewide power outages last week as a result of Hurricane Zeta, the application deadline for the AASP Breeder, Broiler and Pullet Grower programs has been extended to Friday, November 13, 2020. Eligible grower should visit crf.alabama.gov or agi.alabama.gov to apply. Eligibility requirements for each program are below. Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program Poultry Breeder Growers Eligibility Before proceeding through the application, please …

China Looks at its Ban on Ractopamine Residues in Meat

Dan Beef, Exports/Imports, Pork

China’s zero-tolerance policy on ractopamine residues in meats is keeping some U.S. pork and beef products from being sold there. But according to a story from Gary Crawford, China is taking another look at its policy. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

NPPC Petition Leads to U.S. Trade Sanctions Against Thailand

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Pork

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it is suspending $817 million in trade preferences for Thailand under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program because the country hasn’t made sufficient progress providing the United States with “equitable and reasonable market access” for pork products. The decision follows a 2018 petition by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) asking the USTR …

Wayne Farms’ Clint Rivers Installed for Second Term as Chairman of the National Chicken Council

Dan Industry News Release, Poultry

(NCC) — Clint Rivers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Farms LLC (Oakwood, Georgia) was installed for a second term as 2020-2021 Chairman of the National Chicken Council (NCC) during NCC’s Fall Board of Directors meeting, held virtually this week. Clint joined Wayne Farms in October 2012 as Vice President and General Manager of the Fresh Business Unit.  In 2014, he was promoted to …

Livestock Shelters Open in Alabama in Preparation for Tropical Storm Zeta

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Industry News Release, Livestock

In response to Tropical Storm Zeta, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has been in contact with our partners to provide a temporary sheltering facility for evacuated livestock including horses and cattle. Animals moving in response to Tropical Storm Zeta will be exempt from a certificate of veterinary inspection. The Alabama A&M Agribition Center located at 4925 Moore’s …