(NAFB) — Smithfield Foods will close its pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until further notice because of employees who tested positive for the coronavirus. It’s just one of several major agricultural facilities temporarily closing operations due to the pandemic. Virginia-based Smithfield Foods says the closures are a trend that may eventually put a dent in the U.S. …
Demand for U.S. Beef and Pork Strong in Overseas Markets
(NAFB) — Despite various travel bans and other restrictions, foreign markets still have a large number of consumers who want American pork and beef. Clay Eastwood is Director of International Marketing for the National Pork Board. She says the most recent export numbers for American pork include almost record-setting amounts. “January was the second-highest export month in history as we …
NPPC Cancels 2020 World Pork Expo
Next Year’s WPX Set for June 9-11, 2021 (NPPC) — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced that its board of directors has decided to cancel the 2020 World Pork Expo in June due to COVID-19 human health concerns. World Pork Expo 2021 is scheduled for June 9-11 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. “While deeply disappointed to cancel this year’s …
USDA March Meat Outlook
USDA’s March Meat Outlook notes more meat is expected to be produced than what was estimated last month. According to a story from Rod Bain, that could impact prices received by producers. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, …
Government Guidance Recognizing U.S. Agriculture as Critical Industry
(NPPC) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance on critical industry workforce that should continue as the country addresses and responds to the coronavirus outbreak; U.S. food and agriculture was included among 16 critical industries. Specifically, DHS recognized as essential a variety of pork production roles. Among these critical workers: Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed …
NPPC Seeks Labor Solutions for Potential COVID-19 Impact on Pork Supply Chain
(NPPC) — The fallout from an ongoing labor shortage facing the U.S. pork industry and other agriculture sectors could significantly worsen due to the impact of COVID-19, the National Pork Producers Council said in a letter to U.S. government officials today. NPPC’s concerns regarding COVID-19 are labor specific. There is no evidence that pigs can contract the virus. In a letter to …
Good 2020 Start for U.S. Pork and Beef Exports
(NAFB) — Following a record-breaking performance in 2019, U.S. pork exports maintained a torrid pace in January, while beef exports were also higher year-over-year. The U.S. Meat Export Federation says January pork exports cooled slightly from the volume and value records established in December 2019, but still far exceeded year-ago levels. Both the January export volume of 273,603 metric tons, …
USDA Announces Action Plan at Pork Forum
(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach announced additional measures to control and eradicate African Swine Fever (ASF) if the virus is ever detected in the U.S. “First and foremost, USDA is committed to doing all it can to prevent ASF from entering the U.S. and we greatly appreciate the …
Protein Exports Piling up in U.S. Due to Coronavirus
(NAFB) — The spread of coronavirus is causing a glut of protein in U.S. cold-storage facilities. The Wall Street Journal says the protein backup includes pork, chicken, and beef intended for export to overseas markets that have been hit by the outbreak. The quantity of breasts, thigh meat, and drumsticks has grown by 12 percent through the first month of …
Analysis Finds Demand for Meat Strong
Represents $50.5 billion in Sales for 2019 Meat Institute and FMI Release 2020 Power of Meat Analysis (FMI) — The Food Industry Association (FMI) and the Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education, the foundation for the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute), released their 15th-annual in-depth study of meat and poultry through shoppers’ eyes. The Power of Meat 2020 explores …