Meat & Livestock News

House Dismisses Proposed Changes to Agricultural Checkoff Programs, Maintaining Current Structure

In a decisive legislative action, the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly rejected an amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill, known as H.R. 4368. The amendment, spearheaded by Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), was designed to enhance transparency in agricultural checkoff programs.  However, the proposal encountered significant resistance, particularly from the agricultural and forestry sectors. The […]

Walden Local Meat Co. Strengthens Supply Chain with Vermont Packinghouse Acquisition

Walden Local Meat Co., a Massachusetts-based firm focused on sustainably raised meat, has fully acquired Vermont Packinghouse. The USDA-inspected facility collaborates with over 100 farms in the Northeast, adding a significant asset to Walden’s supply chain. Strategic Ownership and Background Walden’s relationship with Vermont Packinghouse dates back to 2017 when it became a customer. The […]

Exclusive Sit-Down with U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals Key Farming Focus Areas

In a recent exclusive chat, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack delved into a multitude of pressing concerns currently impacting the U.S. farming sector. Vilsack touched on a broad spectrum of topics, from the Biden administration’s targeted efforts for rural enhancement to the critical role biofuels could play in the nation’s green strategy, as well as […]

USDA’s NIFA Allocates $7.6 Million for Data Science Research in Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has earmarked $7.6 million for research projects focused on leveraging data science and artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. The funding aims to enhance crop yields and improve animal farming practices. Research Focus and Objectives NIFA’s Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems […]

U.S. Cattle Industry Faces Three Pivotal Questions for Herd Rebuilding

By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist The U.S. cattle industry is at a critical juncture, confronted with the pressing dilemma of how and when to kickstart herd rebuilding. This intricate issue is encapsulated in three core questions: What measures are essential? What is realistically achievable? And what are the producers’ […]

US Pork Exports to Mexico Continue to Shine, According to USMEF Data

DENVER — The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has reported that US pork exports in August remained consistent year-over-year, largely due to robust demand in the Mexican market Data from the US Department of Agriculture reveals that pork export volumes in August were stable at 226,519 tonnes compared to the same period last year. However, […]

US-Dominican Republic Poultry Trade Sees Regulatory Easing Amid HPAI Concerns

In a recent development, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Dominican Republic’s Livestock Directorate (DIGEGA) have updated the regulations concerning the export of U.S. poultry to the Dominican Republic.  This comes as a significant shift, especially considering the U.S. poultry industry had been grappling with restrictions due to the High Pathogenic Avian […]

USDA and Tyson Foods Unveil “Climate-Smart Beef” Amid Environmental Queries

In a recent joint venture, Tyson Foods has teamed up with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to introduce a “Climate-Smart Beef” initiative. The programme claims a 10% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from a designated segment of Tyson’s cattle. These cattle are then processed and sold under the Brazen Beef brand, which features […]