Now that California’s Prop 12 is in effect, hog producers around the nation are having to decide if they’re going to change their operations to comply. National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Scott Hays says it’s an individual choice, and one his family farm turned down. “If you think about it from a producer perspective, most of the cost is …
Good July for Pork Exports but Slow for Beef
Building on a robust first-half performance, July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). But, beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January. Starting with the good news, pork exports in July were up 5% year-over-year, while the export value …
July Pork Exports Above Year-Ago Levels, Slow Month for Beef Exports
According to numbers released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels. On the other hand, beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January, but export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400. July pork exports totaled 219,014 …
Tracking Extended Price Breaks
The grain trade picks back up today after the holiday break. And Mark Oppold has a look at when we’ve seen extended price breaks.
USDA Network Protects Livestock
How the agriculture department works to keep animals healthy. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA has a multi-layered approach to protecting our livestock industry from high-consequence foreign animal diseases. Dr. Julie Wallin with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), says that’s the key role the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). “That’s a network of …
Updated USDA Milk and Meat Production Forecasts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the August numbers for milk and meat production along with new price forecasts. Rod Bain runs through the latest numbers. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discusses some of the adjustments to livestock price projections made by USDA this month.
Excellent First Half for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports below Record Pace
According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. pork exports concluded an excellent first half of 2023 with another strong performance in June. As for beef exports, while well below the record pace established in 2022, June exports topped $900 million in value, pushing first-half export value to …
U.S. Suppliers Meet with Latin American Red Meat Buyers
Red meat buyers from Central and South America and the Caribbean recently met with U.S. suppliers in Cartagena, Colombia, during the 11th edition of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Latin American Product Showcase. With 70 U.S. exporting companies exhibiting at the showcase, 220 importers had the opportunity to meet U.S. suppliers and arrange purchases of a wide range of U.S. red …
Smithfield Foods Closing 35 Missouri Hog Farms
We told you earlier this week that Tyson Foods had announced the planned closure of four of their chicken processing facilities in the U.S. Now, Smithfield Foods has announced they will close 35 hog farm operations in Missouri. According to a state-required workforce adjustment notification, 92 employees would be affected by the closures slated for this month. Murphy Brown LLC, …
Large Pork Producers Don’t Favor Overturning Prop 12
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would overturn California’s Prop 12. Reuters says some of the country’s biggest pork producers who’ve already spent money to comply with the California requirements don’t favor throwing out Prop 12. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would curb states’ ability to regulate agricultural products sold within their borders. The bill was introduced …