USDA Lowers Broiler, Raises Turkey Price Forecasts in August Poultry Outlook The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its August poultry meat price forecast for 2025 and 2026, offering key insights into how market trends and production shifts are expected to impact prices across the broiler and turkey sectors. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski provided details on …
Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Chickens in American Agriculture
Chickens: The Early Livestock Staple of Pioneer Farms Cattle and hogs are widely recognized today as major livestock staples on American farms and ranches. However, during the mid-1800s, it was actually chickens that held the coveted position in many pioneer households. Chickens were especially popular among settlers moving westward due to their ease of transport compared to larger livestock. Once …
Customs and Border Protection Seize Unmanifested Poultry and Meat from China
CBP Seizes Over 6,000 Pounds of Smuggled Meat from China in Los Angeles Port U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists in Los Angeles made a significant seizure earlier this week, confiscating over 6,000 pounds of poultry and meat products illegally shipped from China. The shipment, falsely labeled as tilapia, included unmanifested swine, avian, and ruminant products—a major biosecurity …
Changes Coming to the Poultry Industry in the Southeast
Southeast Poultry Industry Sees Major Expansion with Pilgrim’s Facility and Harrison Poultry Acquisition The poultry industry in the Southeast is undergoing significant changes as two major announcements signal expansion and consolidation across Georgia’s poultry sector. These developments promise job creation, enhanced production capacity, and long-term investments in the region’s agricultural economy. Pilgrim’s has unveiled plans to build a new prepared …
U.S. Egg Production Sees Notable Decline, USDA Reports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its latest update on egg production, revealing a significant year-over-year decline in output and layer numbers across the country. Southeast AgNet’s Dale Sandlin reports: Total Egg Production Down 6% According to the USDA report, total U.S. egg production fell to 8.59 billion eggs last month, marking a 6% decrease compared to the …
Senate Committee Advances Bill To Provide Funding to USDA Agencies
Senate Moves Forward with $27.1 Billion USDA Funding Package The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations has advanced the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, a bill allocating $27.1 billion in discretionary spending to key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies. According to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the measure is designed to strengthen …
USDA Reveals Plan to Address Foodborne Illness
New Food Safety Laboratory Opens with National Strategy to Protect Consumers The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat foodborne illness with the recent opening of its modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory. Announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the plan enhances the Department’s approach to food safety, particularly concerning meat, poultry, and egg products. …
California Sued Over Regulations Regarding Eggs and Poultry Production
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit last week against the State of California regarding regulations impacting egg and poultry production alleging the violation of the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution. The complaint challenges the laws and regulations of the State of California which impose requirements on farmers preventing them from “using commonly accepted agricultural methods that helped keep …
CDC Ends Bird Flu Emergency Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ended its emergency response to bird flu as the outbreak that sickened dozens of people, spread to cattle, and drove up egg prices has abated. Bloomberg said the emergency designation ended last week. The CDC is combining bird flu updates with the routinely reported seasonal influenza infections. It will also post the …
Secretary of Agriculture Provides Update: Egg Prices, USDA Bird Flu Strategy
Secretary Rollins Reports on Egg Price Relief, Biosecurity Strategy U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently announced a major milestone in the fight against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), coupled with encouraging news for American consumers. Speaking last week, Secretary Rollins confirmed that egg prices have dropped by 64%, with retail costs down 27% from their peak earlier this year. …