The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report was released last Friday, and in the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy section, the forecast for total meat production for 2017 was lowered from last month but is raised for 2018. Beef production for 2017 was lowered primarily on lighter carcass weights which more than offsets higher …
Maryland Joins California in Banning Routine Antibiotics Use in Livestock
A bill passed by Maryland’s legislature makes the state the nation’s second to ban the routine use of antibiotics in livestock. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act prohibits administration of antimicrobial drugs to cattle, swine, and poultry that are not sick, a practice public health experts say can fuel the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. The law …
Organic Farmers Push for Welfare Standards Implementation
Organic dairy and livestock farmers are pushing for Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to let animal welfare standards formed at the end of the Obama Administration to go into effect. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says the farmers argue that the long sought-after rules will give consumers what they want. The measure has long been supported by the USDA’s Organic Advisory Board …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the Alabama and Georgia livestock market reports for the week ending April 22nd, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for both states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended April 22nd, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,100 head compared to 13,219 last week and 9,604 year ago. Compared to …
Little Time to Reverse Organic Livestock Rules
If confirmed next Monday, Agriculture Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue will have little time to oppose organic livestock rules finalized by the Department of Agriculture just a day before President Donald Trump was sworn in. Politico reports the rules will go into effect May 19th, but Congress has until April 28th to undo the measure, and Congress doesn’t seem likely to …
Grassley Bill Would Ban Packer Ownership of Livestock
A bill reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last week by Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley seeks to ban packer ownership of livestock. A news release from his office says the Senator is concerned about the continued impact of consolidation within the livestock industry. Grassley says over the last several decades large packing companies in the poultry and pork industries have …
Livestock Groups, Roberts, Praise GIPSA Rule Delay
Livestock groups welcomed a delay by the Donald Trump administration to an interim final rule under GIPSA, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. A notice in Wednesday’s Federal Register will indicate the Department of Agriculture is delaying the April 22nd effective date for the interim final rule by 180 days and setting a 60-day comment period from April 12th …
APHIS Announces Public Meetings on Animal Disease Traceability
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a series of public meetings to receive input on the current Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) system. The meetings will allow APHIS to hear from the public about the successes and challenges of the current ADT framework, specifically for traceability in cattle and bison. They …
Subcommittee Examines Livestock Producer Perspectives on Next Farm Bill
Rep. David Rouzer (NC-7), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, held a hearing to gather perspectives from key members of the livestock community as part of the committee’s hearing series on the next farm bill. Members of the committee heard from representatives of four major livestock producer groups who discussed the issues facing their …
Bird Flu Strain Becoming More Severe in China
China reported this week the nation is assessing a new strain of avian influenza, H7N9, which officials report has evolved into a more severe form in birds. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That …