Meat & Livestock News

Advocating for Voluntary Traceability in the US Beef Industry

Emphasising Voluntary Measures for Disease Traceability An Iowa cattle producer, Justin Robbins, has voiced the need for advancing animal disease traceability within the US beef industry. Robbins, who operates a cow/calf business near Scranton, Iowa, shared his insights with Brownfield, highlighting the importance of voluntary traceability measures to safeguard the US cattle herd. The Need […]

US Senators Advocate for Halting Paraguayan Beef Imports Amid Health Concerns

Washington’s Latest Agricultural Debate In a recent development in Washington, Senators Mike Rounds and Jon Tester have taken a significant step towards challenging the importation of beef from Paraguay. This bipartisan effort, announced on December 13, seeks to employ a Congressional Review Act resolution to counter the Biden Administration’s decision from November, which authorised the […]

Agriculture Organisations Urge Finaliszation of Poultry Grower Rule Changes

Collective Appeal to President Biden Over 60 agriculture organisations have collectively addressed a letter to President Joe Biden, expressing their concerns regarding the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed updates to the Packers and Stockyards Act. The letter, dated Dec. 13, emphasises the need for clarity and transparency in contracts between poultry growers and major […]

The State of Capital Investment in the Meat and Poultry Industry

A comprehensive study, conducted by Cypress Research in collaboration with MEAT+POULTRY and the North American Meat Institute, has shed light on the current trends and future outlook of capital investment in the meat and poultry industries. The 2023-24 Meat and Poultry Industries Capital Spending Trends Study aimed to understand the perspectives of industry professionals on […]

USDA WASDE Report Indicates Modest Rise in Red Meat and Poultry Production Forecasts

The latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, released in December, indicates a modest upward revision in the production forecasts for red meat and poultry. The report highlights an increase in the 2023 forecasts for pork and broiler production in the fourth quarter, contributing to the overall rise. This increase is partially […]

US Ag Groups Petition President’s Export Council for Stronger Trade Focus

Over 30 US agricultural organisations have united to petition the President’s Export Council (PEC) for enhanced focus on expanding export markets for American food producers. This initiative aims to strengthen the US’s position in global agricultural trade. The coalition’s joint letter calls for the PEC to establish a robust agricultural trade agenda. This includes enforcing […]

Housing Challenges for Meatpacking Workers: Industry Takes Action

The Housing Crunch in Small Towns The housing shortage in small American towns, especially those hosting animal protein processing plants, has become a pressing issue. This was starkly highlighted by the experience of Cargill plant manager Selia Perez, who, upon moving to Fort Morgan, Colo., for her job, struggled to find a suitable home for […]

U.S. Senate Joins House in Opposing Paraguayan Beef Imports

Congressional Concerns Escalate The debate over beef imports from Paraguay has intensified in the U.S. Congress, with the Senate now joining the House in expressing concerns. This development marks a significant expansion of opposition within the legislative branch. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) have spearheaded a bipartisan initiative, introducing a bill focused […]

FDA Reports Uptick in Antibiotics for Food Animals in 2022

Increased Sales of Key Antimicrobials The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has noted an uptick in the sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobials for food-producing animals in 2022.  The latest annual report indicates a 4% increase in overall sales from 2021, though these numbers are still significantly lower, by 36%, compared to the peak […]

2023 Meat Export Trends: Pork Flourishes, Beef Faces Challenges

Pork Exports See Growth, Driven by Mexico The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has released a report indicating a significant upturn in pork exports for 2023, contrasting with the challenges faced in the beef sector. Pork exports in October showed a 3% increase compared to the same month last year, contributing to a 9% rise […]