Small Processors Action Plan

Perdue Farms to Shutter Tennessee Chicken Plant

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

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 ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials …

milk testing

Update on Milk Testing for H5N1 Virus

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

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 …

conditional license

U.S. to Rebuild Bird Flu Vaccine Stockpile

The USDA will begin rebuilding its bird flu vaccine stockpile to make it match the current strain of the virus running through commercial flocks and wild birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the outbreak started in 2022 and has killed over 130 million birds, affecting commercial, backyard, and wild birds in all 50 states. In a press …

dairy

Livestock Producers Reminded to Apply for Disaster Assistance

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 …

stamp out

Efforts Continue to Stamp Out H5N1

New funding is being made available to help in the efforts to stamp out H5N1. Rusty Halvorson has more details. The Biden administration recently announced it would award $306 million more to address avian influenza cases in humans, especially livestock workers. The New York Times noted the timing of the funding reflects concerns among senior health officials that the incoming Trump …

usda

HPAI Confirmed in an Alabama Commercial Broiler Farm and a Backyard Flock

(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/Dec. 16, 2024) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler farm in Cullman County and in a backyard flock in Pickens County. Samples from the flocks were tested and confirmed positive at the Alabama …

poultry

Virus Making Things Difficult for U.S. Poultry

South Dakota State University researchers are working to develop a vaccine for a new strain of a highly contagious disease that’s hitting the U.S. poultry industry. Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV). It is an upper respiratory tract viral infection that affects all types of poultry but is most harmful to turkeys. The virus is divided into four subgroups, including A, B, C, …

federal

New Federal Order Announced by USDA

Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State Officials and Dairy Regulators; Builds on Actions to Protect Farms, Farmworkers and Communities from H5N1 Avian Influenza (USDA-APHIS/WASHINGTON/Dec. 6, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of …