bird flu

U.S. Bird Flu Response Hampered by Trump Administration

Dan Agri-Business, Avian Influenza, Cattle, Legislative, Livestock, Poultry

The U.S. response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak has faced significant disruption in the early weeks of the Trump administration, raising concerns among federal officials, state agencies, veterinarians, and public health experts. Since President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, two key federal agencies responsible for monitoring and managing the outbreak have delayed critical communications, including bird flu …

chicken ncc

NCC to HHS: Emphasize Chicken in 2025 Dietary Guidelines

Dan Poultry

Last week the National Chicken Council (NCC) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reject recommendations (.pdf) put forth by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) that emphasize plant-based proteins over lean meats like chicken. Rusty Halvorson has more details. NCC’s comments (.pdf) were submitted in response to the Scientific Report released last December by the DGAC, which makes recommendations …

egg prices

Egg Prices are Soaring Due to Bird Flu

Dan Avian Influenza, Economy, Eggs, Poultry

It’s been national news for quite some time now, but bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023. And it appears there may be no relief in sight, given the surge in demand as Easter approaches.  The average price per dozen …

changes

Perdue Farms to Shutter Tennessee Chicken Plant

Dan Economy, Poultry

Perdue Farms recently confirmed to Agriculture Dive they are set to close a chicken production plant in Monterey, Tennessee. The processor will shut down the facility on March 28th, citing changes in market demand and how it processes and supplies chicken products for today’s customers. Addressing the Monterey plant’s challenges would require substantial additional investments to maintain operations. About 433 …

dol

DOL is Cracking Down on JBS

Dan Economy, Labor and Immigration, Poultry

Today, Rusty Halvorson has information of why the DOL is cracking down on JBS, and also a quick note concerning cage-free egg laying hens. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025

milk testing

Update on Milk Testing for H5N1 Virus

Dan Avian Influenza, Cattle, Dairy

The second federal order involving milk testing for the H5N1 virus in dairy cattle is now one month old. Rusty Halvorson has an update. The second federal order involving milk testing for the H5N1 virus in dairy cattle is now one month old. Dr. Alex Turner of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says 28 states have enrolled since …

Finalizing New Rule for Poultry Companies

Dan Legislative, Poultry, Regulation

The final few days for the current administration includes USDA finalizing a new rule for poultry companies. Rusty Halvorson has the story. USDA and the Biden administration are closing the final days of the administration by finalizing a new rule restricting how poultry companies score and penalize contract growers under the tournament system. It’s the third regulation offered by the …

livestock

Livestock Producers Reminded to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Dan Agri-Business, Avian Influenza, Cattle, Dairy, Funding, Livestock, USDA-FSA

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers, including dairy producers impacted by H5N1, that the deadline to apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) is Jan. 30, 2025, for losses due to specific adverse conditions that occurred in 2024. ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish to assist …