The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) spring trip to Washington, D.C. is set for March 27-29. Sheep producers from state and national associations across the U.S. will visit our nation’s capital to meet with their congressional delegations on issues of interest to the industry. The trip will also include meetings with our ASI partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on lamb …
USDA Developing New Ways to Track COVID in Wild and Domestic Animals
Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing new tests to identify and track the COVID virus in wild and domestic animals. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is implementing $300 million to conduct monitoring and surveillance of susceptible animals for the COVID virus. Through the initiative, ARS, in partnership with …
2022 Beef Exports Set Annual Records; Strong Finish for Pork Exports
According to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. beef exports set annual records for both volume and value in 2022, while pork exports finished lower year-over-year but their value was the third largest on record. Despite slowing toward the end of the year, beef exports reached 1.47 million metric tons (mt), …
Lamb Board Releases New Strategic Plan
The American Lamb Board (ALB) released its fiscal year 2022 Annual Report to inform Mandatory Lamb Checkoff stakeholders of its work to mitigate outside forces and challenges and take advantage of opportunities ahead. “Even though many challenges were out of our control, it’s critical that we keep driving forward as hard as we can to promote American lamb and the U.S. sheep …
Pork Exports Continue to Gain Momentum; Beef Export Value Sets Annual Record
According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), November exports of U.S. pork were the largest of 2022 in both volume and value, while beef exports were below the large year-ago totals. But, 2022 beef export value already set a full-year record of nearly $11 billion. USMEF President and …
American Lamb Producers Looking Ahead to 2023 Trends
The “2023 Meat Trends to Watch Report” says understanding the overarching trends in American meat consumption can help keep meat in the mix. “There are challenges ahead for the lamb industry, but there are also opportunities ahead,” says Peter Camino, American Lamb Board Chair. “But the entire industry will need to make changes to improve our competitiveness and profitability.” The …
USDA to Survey Cattle, Sheep and Goat Operations
In January, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey about 40,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories. During the first two weeks of January, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina producers will have the opportunity to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, calf crop, death loss and cattle on feed information. “This information …
Impressive U.S. Pork and Beef Exports Numbers
A new report shows October exports of U.S. pork were the largest in more than a year, while beef export volume also increased from a year ago. And, according to the data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), U.S. beef exports are on a record pace in 2022 and have already exceeded $10 billion. USMEF President …
U. S. Needs More Veterinarians
There’s a shortage of veterinarians in the United States. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation found that there is a shortfall of veterinarians to treat livestock and poultry in rural areas. The report says that shortfall is threatening public health, food safety, and economic growth in communities that depend on agriculture. More than 500 …
USDA Announces Plans for a Section 32 Purchase of American Lamb Products
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans for a Section 32 purchase of American lamb products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. The purchase was a request by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the National Lamb Feeders Association earlier this year. Support for the purchase also came from congressional delegations from several Western states in recent months. “We …