A Bold Move to Protect American Beef: Senate Halts Paraguayan Beef Imports
TL;DR: In a decisive action, the Senate voted 70 to 25 to halt the import of Paraguayan beef, challenging a recent USDA rule due to concerns over health standards and the protection of American consumers and producers. The bipartisan resolution reflects deep worries over animal health standards and aims to safeguard the quality of beef […]
Farming Costs Stabilise After Inflation Surge, Westpac Predicts Easier Times Ahead
TL;DR: The tide is turning for on-farm costs, with inflation rates settling back to more manageable levels after a significant spike. Westpac economists forecast a return to near-normal inflation rates for the farming sector, offering a glimmer of hope amidst financial pressures. This shift is primarily attributed to moderated costs in key areas such as […]
Labelling Dispute: Mexico and Canada Challenge U.S. “Product of USA” Standards
TL;DR: Mexico and Canada have voiced strong objections to the United States’ new “Product of USA” labelling guidelines for meat products, asserting that the rules could unfairly disadvantage North American producers. The disagreement centres on the voluntary label’s criteria, which demand that products must come from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed entirely in the […]
Earmarking Progress: Congress Allocates $15 Million for Cattle eID Tags
TL;DR: In a significant move, Congress has approved $15 million for the implementation of electronic identification (eID) tags for cattle, aiming to enhance disease traceability across the industry. This funding, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, has sparked mixed reactions within the beef sector, highlighting the ongoing debate over the balance between innovation and […]
Optimistic Projections for Australia’s Cattle and Sheep Industries in 2024
TL;DR: The latest Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) projections offer a robust outlook for the cattle and sheep sectors in 2024, with cattle slaughter and beef production expected to hit significant highs and the sheep industry also set for record-breaking lamb slaughter and production figures. Despite slight decreases in herd and flock sizes, overall production […]
US Beef Makes Inroads in Angola with USMEF and USDA Partnership
TL;DR: In a concerted effort to tap into the burgeoning African market, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has partnered with the USDA on a strategic trade mission to Angola, aimed at promoting U.S. beef. With Africa’s positive economic and demographic outlook, this collaboration seeks to address challenges and unlock new opportunities for the U.S. […]
USDA Forecasts Surge in Australian Beef Exports to Key Markets
TL;DR: The USDA’s latest report anticipates a 9% increase in Australian beef exports, buoyed by a recovery in herd numbers following the drought from 2017 to 2019. Key export destinations, including the U.S., South Korea, China, and Japan, are expected to benefit from this expanded supply. Additionally, a significant uptick in live cattle exports, estimated […]
Navigating Automation Challenges in the Meat and Poultry Industry
TL;DR: The meat and poultry processing sector faces unique challenges in adopting automation technologies, primarily due to the natural variability and complexity of its products compared to other food items. Experts from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Tyson Foods highlight the difficulties of automating tasks that require adaptability to the inherent differences in animal […]
BLNZ Meeting: Farmers Vote Against Fee Hike, Support Key Remits
TL;DR: At the recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) annual meeting, farmers voted against increasing director fees while showing support for several key farmer-proposed remits. Discussions focused on challenging the notion that livestock significantly contributes to global warming, preserving NZ’s beef and lamb’s natural reputation, and establishing a unified emissions position for the sector. […]
Australian Cattle Market Trends: A Closer Look at Saleyard Throughput Changes
TL;DR: Meat & Livestock Australia’s 2024 industry projections highlight a subtle decrease in the national herd size, with a shift towards more processor-ready cattle sales following a period of rebuild. Variations in cattle sales to processors and feedlots reflect both seasonal patterns and longer-term market adjustments. Queensland’s feedlot sector is absorbing more cattle, indicating a […]
