Last week, Colorado joined New Mexico and Texas as states affected by the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection after two horses displaying signs of the virus were tested and confirmed positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Previously, New Mexico had two VSV cases confirmed while Texas also had two cases confirmed. Colorado, New Mexico and Texas are the …
July 4th Cookouts Costing About the Same
(AFBF) — A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for July 4th, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and watermelon, will cost just a few cents more this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout …
ASF Claims More Territory in Asia
A Pork Checkoff news release says in just 30 days, the African Swine Fever (ASF) Virus is claiming more territory across all parts of Asia. Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization say that ASF is now in Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, North Korea, and Vietnam. Experts predict its relentless march won’t stop there. The death loss continues to grow. …
NPPC Launches ‘Keep America First in Agriculture’ Campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPPC) – The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) launched “Keep America First in Agriculture,” a new campaign to highlight the importance of establishing a proper regulatory framework for gene editing in American livestock. Gene editing technology, which introduces useful genetic variation into food animal breeding programs, promises significant animal health benefits, including a natural immunity to disease and a reduction in the need for antibiotic use. …
U.S., Canada, Agree to ASF Zoning Measures
The United States and Canada announced a plan this week to allow for “safe trade” to continue if African swine fever is reported in either country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have worked to modify their export certificates to allow trade of live swine, pet food and animal by-products and meat to continue in …
U.S. Pork Producers Seek Main Course, Not Crumbs
China Represents Single-Greatest Sales Opportunity in U.S. Pork History Expanding U.S. export markets is vital to the success of American pork producers, but trade disputes with some of our top markets, most notably China, are hampering growth and have caused severe financial harm to U.S. hog farmers, National Pork Producers Council Vice President and Counsel of Global Government Affairs Nick …
April Beef, Pork Exports Below 2018 Levels
April exports of U.S. beef and pork were lower than in 2018, while U.S. lamb exports continued to trend higher. The numbers come from data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports totaled just over 105 metric tons in April, five percent lower year-over-year, although the export value was down just slightly to $674.2 …
U.S. Hog Industry Reacting to ASF Concerns
Earlier this week it was announced North Korea is now on the list of Asian countries infected by African Swine Fever (ASF). Both China and Vietnam have lost millions of hogs due to the outbreak. In a story from Rod Bain, increases in both safeguards and commodity prices are among the impacts on the U.S. pork industry due to concerns …
Pork Checkoff Studies How Dining has Changed in Recent Years
The National Pork Board released findings from its Comprehensive Insight to Action research. This time, the research looked at trends in consumer behavior that relate to dining out. The dining landscape has shifted in recent years and multicultural cuisine trends are on the rise in the U.S. The Pork Board set out to understand the needs, considerations, and motivations that impacted where …
Final EPA Rule Exempts Farms From Emissions Reporting
The National Pork Producers Council applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing its rule exempting livestock farmers from reporting to state and local authorities the routine emissions from their farms. “This rule is the final piece in the implementation of the FARM Act, which passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support last year and eliminated the need for livestock …