During USDA’s 95th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum held last week in Arlington, Virginia, many issues were discussed by the various speakers. But there was one issue touched on by all three of the keynote speakers concerning the livestock industry. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Canadian Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay and Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Victor Villalobos all made comments about preventing the spread of African …
Gene Editing Development Stalled; NPPC Renews Call for USDA Oversight
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging the Department of Agriculture to assume regulatory oversight of gene editing for livestock. The call from NPPC follows the slow pace of developing a regulatory framework at the Food and Drug Administration. NPPC says the process is “stalled” at FDA, and that “USDA is best equipped to oversee gene editing for livestock …
ASF Could Slow Pork Consumption in China
Since African swine fever (ASF) was first discovered in China in August 2018, officials have confirmed about 100 outbreaks of the disease. And while ASF does not pose a threat to human health, some wonder if transportation restrictions on hogs and pork products and heavy news coverage of the disease could cause a slowdown in China’s pork consumption? U.S. Meat Export …
Adjustments in Meat Production and Price Estimates
What were some of the reasons behind changes in USDA’s latest outlooks for meat production and prices? Rod Bain has a story that answers that question. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Seth Meyer discusses USDA’s latest look at dairy production and price estimates. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding …
Record Pork Exports to South America
2018 was a record year for U.S. pork exports to South America, helped in part by strong increases in pork muscle cut shipments to Colombia and Peru. U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Joe Schuele has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida …
Beef Exports Remain High
While the November beef export report came out a month later than usual because of the government shutdown, it still showed good things for beef. U.S. beef exports continued on a record pace in November. However, pork exports trended lower year-over-year. Statistics from USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show that beef exports totaled more than 112,000 …
Better Days Coming for Chicken Producers
Chicken, pork, and beef producers should all see better days over the next 12 months in spite of specific challenges in each segment. The industry website Meating Place Dot Com notes one industry analyst, Jeremy Scott of Mizuho Securities, who says the worst is behind us in the chicken market. That specific market segment had one of its most difficult …
Groups Urge Administration To Lift Metals Tariffs
A diverse, ad hoc coalition of more than 45 groups representing many sectors of the U.S. economy joined the National Pork Producers Council in calling for an end to U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican aluminum and steel imports so that America can take advantage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Trump administration on June 1, 2018, imposed a 25 …
Meat Inspectors, Price Reporting Staff Still On The Job
In response to erroneous reports in the news and (mostly) on social media, the National Pork Producers Council is reminding pork producers and consumers that federal meat inspectors are working in meat packing plants despite the government shutdown. NPPC – and other livestock groups – a year ago urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to deem as essential USDA Food Safety …
Meat Inspections, Livestock Price Reports Continue During Shutdown
USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors and agency employees who produce the twice-daily livestock price reports remain on the job despite the ongoing government shutdown. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), early last year, strongly urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to deem as essential FSIS meat inspectors and the Agricultural Marketing Service staff responsible for operating and administering the Livestock Mandatory …