USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) this (last) week removed mandatory mask requirements at federally inspected meat processing facilities. As of March 1, 2022, FSIS Notice 34-21 requiring masks was rescinded. FSIS-regulated establishments are no longer subject to suspension or withdrawal of inspection services for failure to require their employees to wear masks when FSIS inspection program personnel are …
Meat Production and Price Forecast for 2022
While 2021 was a record year for U.S. meat and poultry production, some wonder if 2022 production can even approach the record the levels set last year. Rod Bain has a story looking at that and what price producers might receive for their products this year. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Signup Deadline Extended for Spot Market Hog Pandemic Assistance
The deadline for pork producers to submit applications for the USDA Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) originally was today, February 25th. But, the signup has been extended until April 15th. The program assists producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale between April 16 and September 1 of 2020. USDA notes that during those months, producers faced the …
$215 Million Committed to Enhance the Rural American Food Supply Chain
Department Will Make Available $215 Million for Projects That Will Promote Competition and Increase Resiliency and Create Economic Opportunity in Rural America (USDA/WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2022) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making available up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply …
Breaking Down Sustainability in the Pork Industry
Sustainability is a term we hear quite a bit anymore. But some, especially consumers, may not understand exactly what that means. So, how might both consumers and producers better understand the concept of sustainability? Rod Bain reports that pork producers are working on ways to better communicate what sustainability means. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember …
Organizations Ask EPA to Withdraw Proposed New WOTUS Rule
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) was one of the organizations asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw their proposed new WOTUS rule. Last week, NPPC signed onto two sets of comments asking the EPA to withdraw it. Submitted by the Waters Action Coalition (WAC), of which NPPC is a member, and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the comments detail …
Florida Lawmakers Discuss Veterinary Telemedicine
Week five of the Florida Legislative Session saw various issues discussed once again, but there is a bill that has been of interest to some in agriculture across the state. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what the bill is about and where it currently stands. The 60 day Florida Legislative session will run until March 11th. Sponsored ContentFlorida …
New Records for Beef Exports, New High for Pork Export Values
According to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. beef exports in 2021 exceeded previous volume and value records surpassing $10 billion for the first time. That same reports notes while pork exports finished slightly below the record volume reached in 2020, they did set a new value record topping $8 billion …
Foreign Agriculture Service Working to Break Down Trade Barriers
Foreign Agriculture Service has led USDA’s day-to-day efforts to break down trade barriers and generate export opportunities for U.S. agriculture for 2021. They have tried to get peanuts accepted back into the European Union. These efforts also resulted in market access for U.S. pork to India, poultry to Venezuela, and apples and pears going into Argentina, among others. Tyron Spearman …
Global Efforts Underway to Combat Hunger and Poverty
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service team together to lead global efforts to combat hunger and poverty and build more sustainable equitable, and resilient, food systems through the United Nations and others. According to the USDA they have invested $248 Million dollars in new school feeding projects through the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition …