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 …
New Study Shows U.S. Pork’s Long-term Sustainability Progress
A new study from the University of Arkansas confirms that America’s pig farmers are producing a product that has become increasingly sustainable over the past five decades. According to the new study, A Retrospective Assessment of U.S. Pork Production: 1960 to 2015, the inputs needed to produce a pound of pork in the United States became more environmentally friendly over …
Shutdown Delays Smithfield N.C. Trial
A federal judge has delayed the Smithfield Foods trial in North Carolina as the case is another victim of the government shutdown. The start of the case was postponed because juror’s pay could not be guaranteed, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. A federal judge delayed the trial scheduled to begin this week, and noted the hearing would be rescheduled …
Second Round of Trade Aid Payments Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward on the second and final round of trade mitigation payments to farmers hurt from retaliation by America’s trading partners. Commodity producers are now eligible to receive market facilitation payments (MFP) on the second half of their 2018 production. USDA has been sending out the first round of MFP payments to producers …
African Swine Fever in China Could Affect Trade
African swine fever continues to be a significant problem in China. Craig Morris, National Pork Board vice president of international marketing, said if the issue continues, or possibly gets worse, it could affect pork markets across the board. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle …
USDA Highlights Opportunities for Producers and Vendors
Apples, Grapes, Oranges, Pork, Fluid Milk and more Earlier, a new USDA Foods vendor delivered 2,000 gallons of fresh milk to the D.C. Capital Area Food Bank. The delivery was one of many taking place at food banks across the country resulting from purchases made by the USDA to provide market support to the dairy industry. USDA Foods are a …
Record U.S. Beef Exports; Pork Exports Slightly Lower
U.S. beef exports remained on a record-shattering value pace in October, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). October pork exports trended seasonally higher compared to recent months, but were still below the results posted in October 2017. October beef exports totaled 117,800 metric tons, up 6 percent …
Conference Panel Approves 2018 Farm Bill
Pork producers – and all livestock farmers – are poised for a significant victory after passage by a Senate-House conference committee of a 2018 Farm Bill that includes mandatory funding for animal disease prevention and preparedness. The National Pork Producers Council now is urging lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to approve the new five-year agricultural blueprint. NPPC has been …
U.S. Pork Losses from Trade Dispute with Mexico: $1.5 Billion
Losses Attributed to China Dispute Estimated at $1 Billion The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) called for an end to a trade dispute that has cost U.S. pork producers an estimated $1.5 billion this year, according to Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes. “We are very pleased with the new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, one that preserves zero-tariff …
Agri View: BFTP-Butcher Shop a Thing of the Past
Do you remember when you could walk into your local butcher shop and order a cut of meat just the way you wanted it? Maybe you needed a bit of advice on the best way to prepare a special cut of beef? Everett Griner talks about the local butcher, and butcher shop being a thing of the past in today’s …