The House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing earlier this week to receive testimony from US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During the hearing Secretary Rollins highlighted the work conducted by the department since coming into office including the reduction in egg prices, efforts to eradicate New World Screwworm, reducing regulations for producers, processing disaster payments and opening new markets …
NAFB Purdue Researchers Develop a New Avian Influenza Test
Purdue University researchers have developed an innovative, paper-based diagnostic test for rapidly detecting avian influenza. The novel test addresses the urgent need for an efficient and cost-effective surveillance tool to combat the global threat posed by avian influenza viruses. The test is suitable for use in field settings, including areas with limited access to advanced laboratory facilities. A key advantage …
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act Reintroduced in Senate
Last week, bipartisan legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to address anticompetitive markets and vertical consolidation in the meatpacking industry. The “Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025” would create the “Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters” within the Packers & Stockyards Division at USDA. The Office of the Special Investigator would hold legal powers to …
Poultry Markets Strong but Face Headwinds
Improved economic conditions in many regions, together with ongoing high prices for other proteins, make poultry an attractive option for worldwide consumers. Rabobank says global consumption growth is predicted to reach 2.5 to three percent this year. This marks the second year of above-average market growth, which led to significant improvements in margin performance. However, dealing with avian influenza remains …
U.S. Rapidly Increasing Egg Imports to Combat High Prices
The U.S. has almost doubled egg imports from Brazil and is considering relaxing regulations for eggs laid by chickens raised for meat. The moves come as the Trump Administration is trying to lower record-high egg prices caused by avian influenza. Reuters says the administration is also pushing for more imports from countries like Turkey and South Korea, which usually send …
Various Questions about H5N1 Avian Influenza Vaccines for Poultry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to work on the various issues around the H5N1 avian influenza. We told you the new USDA Secretary recently announced a $1 billion comprehensive strategy to fight highly pathogenic avian influenza to protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices. Rusty Halvorson has a story looking at the questions concerning a possible …
Egg Board CEO Talks about High Egg Prices
The egg industry has been watched closely as rising egg prices and shortages in retail stores across the U.S. have drawn negative attention to the industry. Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, says the disruption in supply and rising prices are due to the continued impact of bird flu on the nation’s poultry flocks. The HPAI outbreak …
Meat Production and Price Projections for 2025
During the recent USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, the outlook for beef, pork, and poultry meat production, trade, and prices were discussed for this year. Rusty Halvorson has the story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
APHIS Conducting Tabletop Exercises
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been conducting tabletop exercises. According to a story from Rusty Halvorson, these are to prepare for a possible animal disease outbreak. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Concerns about H5N1 Avian Influenza Spreading among Mammals
You may have heard the story how the USDA, for the first time, confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in rats. This is of course raising concerns about the virus’s ability to spread among mammals. Rusty Halvorson has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024