The USDA recently announced it would be withdrawing a series of organic livestock standards that were put into place during the Obama administration. Organic groups across the country are not happy with the move. John Siemon, CEO of the Wisconsin-based Organic Valley Cooperative, says one of the most important things the standards addressed was animal welfare. The battle over the …
Latest WASDE Report from USDA
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report (WASDE) was released recently. During December, raging wildfires in southern California and a late-month cold wave east of the Rockies highlighted a La Niña-driven weather regime. La Niña also contributed to a broad expanse of drier than-normal conditions, especially across the southern tier of the country. A few areas, however, received …
Global Avian Influenza Surge
Different strains of avian influenza were found over the holiday season globally, according to two global health agencies that say the number of human infections appears to have decreased over time. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports that since December, the H5N6 strain of avian influenza has been reported in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan, in addition to …
Livestock Outlook Positive for 2018
Last year ended on a good note, with the outlook generally positive for livestock and poultry in 2018. That forecast came from James Robb, director and senior agricultural economist with the Livestock Marketing Information Center. However, he says there are some concerns surrounding both industries as uncertainty looms around trade agreements. Robb spoke during a workshop at the American Farm …
Livestock – Poultry Outlook Positive for 2018
Some attending the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee learned that 2017 ended on a good note for the livestock and poultry sectors, and the 2018 outlook is positive overall. That was according to James Robb, director and senior agricultural livestock economist for the Livestock Marketing Information Center. But, he said there …
No Link Between Small Wild Birds and Rodents to 2014-15 HPAI Outbreak
A study by Iowa State University found no evidence that small wild birds and rodents were possible sources of the avian influenza virus that decimated Iowa poultry flocks in 2015. The study investigated wild birds and rodents around poultry operations to see if they carried the virus or had been exposed to it. Avian influenza is caused by Type A …
Report Shows 2014-15 HPAI Impact
A new report by the Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service found the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States was not as big an effect as the closing of key export markets. The report studied the poultry industry during the 2014-15 HPAI outbreak, and concludes that trade restrictions during and after the outbreak affected all …
Beef, Pork, and Turkey Production
While the forecast for beef production continues to climb, steer prices are going the other way. Gary Crawford has a report that looks at the latest USDA forecasts for the beef, hog, and turkey sectors. Beef, Pork, and Turkey Production Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support …
Egg Supply Dropping Prices, Pressuring Cage-Free Market
An abundance of inexpensive, conventionally produced eggs is depressing demand for higher priced cage-free eggs. A new report by CoBank says egg production, conventual and cage-free, has surged since the 2015 avian flu outbreak. More than 229 major food companies following the outbreak pledged to use cage-free eggs by 2025. Meanwhile, total table egg production is expected to return to …
NPPC Applauds Withdrawal Of Organic Rule
Listening to the farmers it would have affected, Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue announced that his agency will withdraw a proposed organic rule for livestock and poultry, a move hailed by the National Pork Producers Council. The Obama-era regulation – the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule – would have incorporated into the National Organic Program welfare standards that were not …