Meat & Livestock News

Beef Processor Margins Rebound After Prolonged Slump

After nearly three years of dwindling profitability, beef processor margins are witnessing a revival this year, primarily due to decreased livestock input costs, as reported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Analyst Matt Dalgleish from Episode 3 has introduced the Beef Processor Profitability Index (BPPI), a metric based on standard processor figures. This index, first […]

Challenging Times Ahead for Sheep and Beef Farmers

Sheep and beef farmers are bracing for another challenging year, with rising farm costs expected to significantly reduce their incomes for the second consecutive year, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Andrew Burtt, Chief Economist at Beef + Lamb, indicated that while farm-gate prices are projected to remain consistent with the previous season, escalating […]

Beef Packing Expansion Amidst Declining Cattle Numbers

The beef packing sector is experiencing a growth in construction projects, despite a noticeable decrease in the national cattle herd. The Upper Iowa Beef plant, which processes nearly 470 cattle daily, primarily exports its beef to retailers on the East Coast and to 11 countries in Asia. Even with a national reduction in cattle processing, […]

Beef Packers Accused of Price-Fixing in New Lawsuit

A recent lawsuit has been lodged against the four leading beef packers in the U.S., alleging them of manipulating prices over several years, as per documents from the federal court. The lawsuit claims that from 1st January 2015 onwards, Cargill, JBS USA, Tyson Foods, and National Beef Packing Co. – who together oversee over 80% […]

Jo Quigley Appointed as CEO of Integrity Systems Company, a Subsidiary of Meat & Livestock Australia

New Leadership at Integrity Systems Company Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has named Jo Quigley as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Integrity Systems Company (ISC), its subsidiary. ISC is tasked with overseeing Australia’s principal red meat traceability, animal welfare, food safety, and biosecurity programmes. These include the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), Livestock […]

U.S. Senators Propose Butcher Block Act to Aid Meat Processors

Legislative Move Senators Jerry Moran and Michael Bennet introduced a new legislative proposal, the Butcher Block Act. The initiative aims to bolster small and medium-sized meat processing facilities financially. The funding, in the form of loans and grants, would be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A corresponding bill is also under consideration […]

Lebanon County to Discuss Grazing Sheep Under Solar Arrays Based on Recent Survey

Presentation on Producer-Led Organization The Lebanon County Extension office is set to host a discussion this week, focusing on the necessity for a producer-led organisation to manage contracts for grazing sheep under large-scale solar arrays. This comes in the wake of a study by Cornell University’s Cooperative Enterprise Program, titled “New Dawn for Shepherds,” which […]

EU Pork Market Struggles: A Quick Look

Production’s Down Up to July 2023, the EU’s pork sector’s not doing great. Production’s down 8% compared to last year at the same time. This is the second year it’s dropped, and it’s 10% less than the average of the last five years. The European Commission says it might drop another 6.6% by year-end. Germany […]

US Pork Industry Experiences Slight Uptick in Inventory but Remains Cautious

According to recent data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US pork industry has seen a modest increase in its hog and pig inventory, although this does not necessarily indicate a return to profitability or an intention to ramp up production. Inventory Levels and Market Expectations As of 1 September 2023, the all […]