A study from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows the role meatpacking plants played in the spread of COVID-19. In what ERS describes as a working paper, the study outlined 49 U.S. non-metro counties in which 20 percent or more of employment is in meatpacking, defined as meatpacking-dependent counties. This represents 41 percent of all nonmetro counties with employment in …
USDA Initiative to Create More and Better Market Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of their efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, has announced plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in lending through community and private sector lenders to expand …
ERS: Interest in Antibiotic-free Chicken Increasing
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service last week released a report titled “The Market for Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics, 2012–17.” The report studies consumer attitudes for chicken raised without antibiotics and their purchases of the products. The analysis grouped chicken products into three distinct market segments: classic, processed, and sausage. Between 2012 and 2017, household expenditure shares for …
FSA Administrator Explains Details of PLIP
USDA announced late last week that sign-up deadline for the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) has been extended to October 12th. PLIP is for swine, chicken and turkey producers who had to depopulate due to insufficient processing access as a result of the pandemic. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux provides some details of the program. For more information, contact your local USDA Farm …
September Forecast for Beef, Pork and Poultry Production and Prices
USDA’s September outlook notes the trends of production and price for the beef sector are moving in opposite directions, while showing a reduction in pork production. Rod Bain has more details. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski also discusses the September outlook for poultry production and prices. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril …
Chicken Council Releases Sustainability Report
The National Chicken Council (NCC) has released its inaugural sustainability report, which provides a comprehensive overview of U.S. chickens raised for meat, and the industry’s collective progress in its environmental, broiler welfare and social impact journey, as well as efforts to build a more sustainable food system. The 2020 U.S. Broiler Chicken Industry Sustainability Report was submitted to the Scientific Group of …
Meat Institute: Scapegoating Industry Does Not Help Consumer
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) this week claimed the Secretary of Agriculture’s transparent attempts to scapegoat the meat and poultry industry to shift blame for inflationary prices will not help consumers. NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts states, “Americans are experiencing firsthand what the Secretary refuses to acknowledge, the effects of COVID and lack of labor are hurting …
New White House Report Outlines Problems with Meat Industry Concentration
According to a new report from the White House, President Biden understands that families have been facing higher prices at the grocery store recently. And half of those recent increases are from meat prices, specifically, beef, pork, and poultry. While factors like increased consumer demand have played a role, the price increases are also driven by a lack of competition at …
Pandemic Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Contract Producers and Specialty Crop Growers Updated by USDA
USDA Sets October 12 Deadline for CFAP 2 (WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2021) —The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part …
Vilsack and Tai to Meet with USDA Ag Policy Committee
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will meet with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee Friday. Topics include current and new trade deals, trade agreement implementation and concerns within the agreements. The committee, managed by the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, offers advice on U.S. trade policy. The committee consists of six technical …