USDA Enforces New Meat Labelling Rule and Supports Local Meat Processing
TL;DR: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a significant update to meat product labelling standards during the National Farmers Union Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. The new rule mandates that meat products bearing the “Product of U.S.A.” label must originate from animals entirely born, raised, slaughtered, and processed within the United States. This move aims to […]
Beef Packer and Feedlot Margins Face Challenges in 2024
TL;DR: The financial landscape for beef packers in 2024 has shown signs of improvement, though margins remain in negative territory, highlighting ongoing challenges in the industry. The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker reported that for the week ending March 2, beef packer margins were at a loss of $105.69 per head. This figure marks a slight […]
US Farmers Embrace Solar Energy Amid Agricultural Challenges
TL;DR: In the heart of America’s farmland, a growing number of farmers are integrating solar power into their operations as a strategic response to the uncertainties of agriculture. Stuart Woolf, a California-based grower of wine grapes and almonds, exemplifies this shift. With 1,200 acres dedicated to solar panels, Woolf views solar energy as a vital […]
Consortium Launches Funding for Research to Cut Cattle Methane Emissions
TL;DR: The Greener Cattle Initiative, a collaborative effort led by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, has opened its second call for research proposals. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions from cattle, a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. With a focus on developing […]
Chaos at Shipping Chokepoints
TL;DR: An estimated 80% of global trade relies on maritime transport, making it crucial for the movement of goods across the world. This trade is particularly vulnerable at certain geographic chokepoints, where passage is naturally or artificially narrowed. Recent events have highlighted the fragility of these points, with significant implications for global commerce, especially in […]
Texas Wildfire Results in Over 1,000 Cattle Missing or Dead
TL;DR: In an unprecedented environmental disaster, Texas is grappling with the aftermath of the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in the state’s history and the second largest in the United States. This catastrophic event has led to the loss of over a thousand cattle in Hemphill County alone, with the Texas Department of Agriculture […]
SEC Adjusts Emission-Reporting Requirements for Processors
TL;DR: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), America’s principal financial regulatory body, announced on Wednesday a significant modification to the existing rules concerning the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions by processors. This adjustment marks a departure from the previous mandate that required companies to disclose certain emissions, including those indirectly associated with their supply chain, […]
Florida Legislature Votes to Prohibit Cultivated Meat
TL;DR: In a landmark decision, Florida’s representatives have cast their votes, with an 86-27 majority, to enact the country’s first comprehensive ban on the commercial creation and distribution of cultivated meat. This move encapsulated within the broader legislative framework of SB 1084, was decided in a Wednesday vote by the House. While the bill introduces […]
Meat Industry Groups Voice Strong Opposition to Packers and Stockyards Act Updates
TL;DR: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intention to finalise the “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act” on March 5. This new rule is designed to provide more effective standards to ensure fair access to economic opportunities, addressing the issue of market consolidation observed over the last […]
President Biden Announces Implementation of Final Packers and Stockyards Rule to Promote Fair Competition and Lower Prices
TL;DR: Today, President Biden will unveil a significant rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act as part of broader efforts to foster competition, safeguard consumers, and reduce prices. This announcement is scheduled during the sixth meeting of the Competition Council, an initiative by Biden to combat corporate practices deemed unfair and inflationary. Primarily aimed at […]
