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 …
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 Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril …
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 …