Appeals Court Overrules California’s Glyphosate Warning Label Directive
In a defining judgement, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, situated in San Francisco, has invalidated California’s mandate for cancer warning labels on glyphosate-based weed killers. The court, with Judge Consuelo Callahan authoring the majority opinion, ruled that obliging such warnings contravenes the constitutional speech rights of the herbicide producers. The decision culminated from […]
Balancing Breeding and Welfare in Livestock Production
Temple Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and a globally recognised expert on livestock handling and welfare, has identified genetics as a critical factor in many animal welfare issues. In her observations from meat processing plants, Grandin has noted that the drive for larger livestock has led to unintended consequences, particularly […]
US Pork Industry: A Tale of Productivity and Market Pressures
The US pork industry is currently experiencing a paradox of productivity, according to Christine McCracken, Senior Analyst for Animal Protein at Rabobank. While producers have successfully increased the number of pigs raised per sow, leading to fuller barns, this has inadvertently applied downward pressure on the pork market. During a discussion on AgriTalk with host […]
Enhancing Chicken’s Value Through Moisture-Retention Techniques
In the United States, chicken reigns as the preferred meat, with a variety of ready-to-eat options ranging from deli rotisserie chickens to spicy fast-food sandwiches and wings from local eateries. Achieving the perfect balance of succulence without excess oiliness is a culinary endeavour that challenges both professional and home cooks. The latter often struggle with […]
Agricultural Lenders Shift Focus to Liquidity and Income Concerns for Farmers
In the latest 2023 Agricultural Lender Survey report, a collaboration between the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac), it has been revealed that agricultural lenders are increasingly concerned about liquidity and farm income levels among farmers. The report, which was unveiled at the American Bankers Association Agricultural Bankers Conference in […]
Iowa State Veterinarian Stresses Continuous Biosecurity to Shield Poultry from Avian Influenza
In a recent interview, Iowa’s state veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Kaisand, emphasised the critical nature of biosecurity in commercial poultry operations to prevent the incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into flocks. Dr. Kaisand highlighted that biosecurity is a continuous effort, requiring vigilance every hour of every day, which can be challenging to maintain consistently. […]
HPAI Continues to Affect Poultry in North America
North America’s poultry industry is grappling with ongoing cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The USDA has reported that the virus has reached over 60 million birds in 47 states. Arkansas has recently joined the list of affected states, with a Madison County farm’s flock of 31,600 broiler breeder pullets contracting the disease. A […]
USDA Publishes Environmental Assessment Draft for Local Meat Processing Grants
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made public a draft of the Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for its Local Meat Capacity (Local MCap) Grants programme. This draft assesses the potential environmental impacts of the newly established Local MCap programme. Launched in April 2023, the Local MCap programme offers up to $75 million in […]
Tyson Foods Backs Sustainable Agriculture with Investment in Insect Protein Firm Protix
Tyson Foods, a major player in the meat industry, has recently made a strategic investment in Protix, a startup specialising in insect farming, specifically crickets, for use in animal feed. This move is seen as a significant step towards sustainability in the food supply chain. Dr. Alexandra Kazaks, a nutrition expert at the Institute of […]
US Commerce Department Reduces Duties on Moroccan Phosphate
The US Department of Commerce has made a significant reduction in the import duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilisers, a move that could potentially offer some respite to American farmers facing high fertiliser prices. Josh Linville of Stone X conveyed to Brownfield his astonishment at the announcement made last Friday, which saw duties drop sharply from […]
