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 …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through the Florida …

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 …

USDA Predicts Lower Red Meat and Poultry Production

The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts lower red meat and poultry production due to lower beef and pork production forecasts. Beef production is lowered on the current pace of cattle slaughter and lighter carcass weights. The pork production forecast is lowered on smaller-than-anticipated hog slaughter this quarter although …