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Properly Prepared Beef Remains Safe; Meat Institute Calls For Guidance to Protect Workers
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a nationwide order including requiring lactating dairy cows to test negative for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) before interstate transport, the Meat Institute today said that properly prepared beef remains safe to eat and called for USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide worker safety guidance specific to beef processors to ensure workers are protected from infection.
“USDA and CDC are working overtime to understand the spread of the virus...
ANALYSIS: Tightening Turkey Production Trends
Given the relatively serene state of the turkey market here in early Q2, market participants are keeping their eyes trained on the stats as they refine their expectations for the road ahead. When it comes to supply-facing variables, disease remains a top consideration, and with good reason. In just the first four months of the year, about 346 thousand commercial turkeys have been impacted by HPAI. Although this figure represents only a small fraction of the industry’s annual production potential, it is one part of a more complex scenario currently unfolding on the supply...
USDA Actions to Protect Livestock Health From Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza
To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions that we are taking with our federal partners to help us get ahead of this disease and limit its spread.
Today, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring the following measures, effective Monday, April 29, 2024:
Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle
ANALYSIS: Industry Egg Prices Stabilized in the EU
Over the past two years, egg processors in the EU have endured fluctuating costs of raw materials, influenced by significant external factors that disrupted the balance between shell egg supply and demand. However, despite this volatility, prices for broken eggs have remained relatively steady for eight consecutive months. Since mid-September, values have fluctuated only slightly, ranging between 1.52 and 1.65 €/kg.
The stability in egg prices can be attributed to several factors, including favorable supply conditions during the winter without any significant disruptions from avian influenza...
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in North Carolina Dairy Herd
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in a dairy herd in North Carolina on April 10, bringing the number of states with confirmed cases of HPAI in livestock to seven.
HPAI has previously been detected in nine dairy herds in Texas, three in Kansas, two in New Mexico, and one each in Michigan, Idaho, and Ohio. The movement of cattle from affected herds in these states to North Carolina has been suspended.
“This is an evolving situation, and we are waiting for more diagnostics from NVSL and will work collaboratively with our federal partners and dairy farmers in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler...
Podcast: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 8 - Global Supply Chain Situation
USDA’s APHIS Answers Questions on Detection of HPAI in Dairy Cattle
Following the recent string of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in dairy herds in several states, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the rapidly evolving situation.
As of Apil 3, 2024, six states have confirmed cases of HPAI in domestic livestock. The first confirmation was on March 25 in dairy milking cattle in Texas. Since then, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Idaho, and Ohio have also reported HPAI in dairy cattle herds.
Below are some of the questions...
States with HPAI-Infected Dairy Cows Grows to Six
A herd of dairy cattle in Ohio has been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), increasing the number of states with dairy operations affected by the virus to six.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) on April 3 announced it had received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) of HPAI infection in a dairy cattle herd in Wood County, Ohio.
The USDA previously confirmed the H5N1 strain of HPAI in dairy cattle on seven Texas farms, two in Kansas, and one each...
ANALYSIS: Exploring Factors Influencing the Turkey Market
Although market-swaying spot trade activity is off to a fairly uneventful start in April, there are no shortage of variables that are lingering on the minds of turkey market participants as we proceed into spring. At the top of the "figurative" list is HPAI, which has been slow to relinquish its grasp on the poultry (and egg) industry. Through the first three months of the year, commercial HPAI turkey cases advanced by about 50%, or 70 thousand birds, from the year prior...
Second US Human Case of Avian Influenza H5N1 Linked to Dairy Cattle Exposure Confirmed
The United States has just confirmed a new case of a person testing positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in Texas, the country's second human case since a previous incident in Colorado in 2022. The patient had been exposed to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with H5N1, raising concerns amongst the livestock sector and related businesses. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains the risk to the general public as low...
State Officials Report Human Case of Bird Flu in Texas, Second Ever in U.S. History
State officials Monday reported the first human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in Texas, marking the second-ever human case of H5N1 flu, or HPAI, in the United States and the first tied to exposure to cattle.
The individual in Texas had been in direct contact with dairy cattle thought to be infected with avian influenza. The person, who had testing performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over the weekend, exhibited eye inflammation as their only symptom and is being treated with the antiviral drug oseltamivir. The risk to the general public remains low, said the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)...
HPAI Detection in Idaho Dairy Herd
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) identified today highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a Cassia County dairy cattle operation.
These are the first cases of HPAI in a livestock operation in Idaho. The affected facility recently imported cattle from another state that has identified cases of HPAI in cattle, which suggests the virus may be transmitted from cow-to-cow, in addition to previous reports indicating cattle were acquiring the virus from infected birds.
The primary concern with this diagnosis is on-farm production losses, as the disease has been associated with...
Stevens County Goat Tests Positive for Same Influenza Virus Affecting Poultry
A Stevens County goat kid (juvenile goat) residing on a farm with a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) positive poultry flock tested positive for the same virus. This is the first U.S. detection of HPAI in a domestic ruminant (cattle, sheep, goats, and their relatives). All poultry on the property were already quarantined from the February HPAI detection. Following the confirmation of HPAI in the goat, the Board quarantined all other species on the premises. The Board is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
ANALYSIS: Hatching Plans to Combat Future Uncertainty
Anyone intimately involved in the turkey industry has most likely had their eyes on the hatchery data to start the year. Substantial reductions in all three major categories, Eggs In Incubators, Eggs Hatched and Net Poults Placed have taken place over the past few months which leads many to question what exactly is causing the downtrend. The answer though, may not be as simple as it once was. Traditionally speaking, when hatchery statistics move notably higher or lower, it comes as a concerted effort by the industry to better align with current and...
The Retail Rundown: Hopping Towards the Holiday
Seafood maintains its lion’s share of total feature volume with 37% this week, up from 28.6% the week prior. At present, 42% of seafood features stem from the fresh/frozen fillet category as retailers look to capture sales from Lent observers.
Tilapia and salmon have the greatest percentages of feature volume within the fillet category. With prices comparable to or below year-ago levels, retailers were keen to give the two species a larger chunk of circular real estate.
Fresh salmon, the top seller within the finfish category last week, retailed at...
ANALYSIS: December Chicken Export Volume Reaches New Seasonal Altitude
Judging by the year-end numbers, chicken export movement concluded 2023 under a relatively robust backdrop, especially when considering the ongoing global trade complications related to HPAI. At 645.2 million pounds, total outbound tonnage during December not only surpassed the previous year by 7.4%, or 66.1 million pounds, but also hit a record seasonal high.
The cumulative data, however, tells a slightly different story of how the year played out. Between January and December, total export volume retreated by 4.2% when compared with the previous year...
ANALYSIS: December Turkey Exports Leave Room For Interpretation
While Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been slow to relinquish its ugly grasp on the turkey industry, December’s ending export figures didn’t deviate too far from the established seasonal course.
As 2023 came to a close, total outbound volume hit 42.1 million pounds. So what does this mean for market participants? Sentiment is highly dependent on one’s vantage point. On one hand, December’s export tally marks a significant 43.1% advance when compared to the year prior. On the opposite hand, it is important to bear in mind that 2022’s sweeping...
Commercial Broiler Flock in Nebraska Tests Positive for Bird Flu
A commercial broiler flock of 102,000 birds in Gage County, Nebraska recently tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The detection was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on February 6, marking the first outbreak in a commercial flock for the state since November 2022.
Several small WOAH poultry and non-poultry operations in Nebraska were affected by HPAI between December 2022 and December 2023.
“Nebraska hasn’t had any reported cases of HPAI for a few months so while we are disappointed, we are not surprised, to see another case...
More than 13,000 Turkeys Affected By HPAI in Indiana
A flock of 13,071 turkeys are being quarantined in Indiana after a commercial farm tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as the Bird Flu. The outbreak was reported out of Daviess County and according to the USDA, is the first reported outbreak of a commercial flock in the state since December 2023.
The birds will be depopulated, and birds of nearby flocks will be tested in an effort to prevent the disease from spreading.
To further monitor the situation...
ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Start Q4 on a High Note
While recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in various states and counties have posed challenges to the international footprint of the turkey industry, export performance through the end of October demonstrated noteworthy resilience.
During this period, the total outbound movement reached 52.9 million pounds. This marks the highest seasonal level observed since 2020 and also reflects a 5.8% increase when compared to September. With that being said, it is worth noting that October's cumulative movement still lagged approximately 18 percentage...
Mintec Releases "Thanksgiving Dinner Index 2023" Report; Read It Here
Mintec enables the world's largest food and manufacturing brands to implement more efficient and sustainable procurement strategies. We do this through our cutting-edge SaaS platform, Mintec Analytics, which delivers market prices and analysis for thousands of commodities, food ingredients and associated materials. Our data and tools empower our customers to understand prices better, analyze their spend and negotiate with confidence.
Mintec’s latest report, “Thanksgiving Dinner Index 2023,” is a look at the components that make up the traditional holiday dinner...
HPAI Detected in Commercial Flock; Caroline County, Maryland
One year since the state's last confirmed case, Maryland has reported another outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) commonly known as the bird flu.According to the state's Department of Agriculture, the preliminary confirmation was as a result of an investigation of a broiler operation in Caroline County, just over 2 hours outside of Baltimore. Officials await for United States Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory to confirm in the coming days.
State officials have quarentined all affected premises and birds of which will be depopulated to deminish...
The Retail Rundown: 2023 Thanksgiving Outlook
Thanksgiving is just one week out and grocers are bracing for a busy weekend ahead as shoppers secure any remaining needs for the holiday feast. Below, we have the latest outlook on what Turkey Day 2023 may bring.
The Star of the Show
Shoppers this Thanksgiving may breathe a sigh of relief when looking at prices for the big bird. Last year, households shelled out more money for their turkeys due to factors including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) complications, low cold storage holdings, and inflation.
A lull in bird flu detections following the initial outbreak...
ANALYSIS: A Turkey Production Puzzle
Given the recent resurgence in commercial HPAI cases, turkey market participants are keeping an eye trained to the sky and the other eye glued to the charts as they speculate about potential impacts that the disease could have on the spot market landscape.
Between the first outbreak in Q4, which was reported on October 4th, and the latest case reported on November 3rd, a total of 992,600 commercial turkeys have been impacted by the disease; the majority of which were being raised for next year's meat requirements...
The Retail Rundown: Tuning in to Holiday Turkey Features
For this week's retail rundown, we're tuning in to holiday turkey features as Thanksgiving inches closer. Grocers are making room for the big bird in their meat cases and freezers for the millions of turkeys that will be gobbled down in two weeks.
Seafood maintains the top spot among protein ads with 23.8% of features this week. Turkey ads captured nearly 9% of protein features this week, up from 6.9% the previous week. Within the turkey complex, frozen whole turkey features account for 56.5% of features, up from 25% a week...
Bird Flu Infects Commercial Table Egg Layer Farm for First Time in 11 Months
A commercial table egg layer operation has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, for the first time in eleven months.
The impacted operation had 940,000 birds in Wright County, Minnesota, according to USDA data. The government lists the confirmation data as November 3, 2023.
Prior to last week's detection, the latest commercial layer operation to be hit by bird flu was a farm with 239,700 birds in Weld County, Colorado on December 20, 2022...
The Retail Rundown: A Nod to November
Winter is seemingly giving a nod to November, as frigid and record-cold temperatures impact much of the central and southern United States this week.
While households hunker down for the colder weather, retailers are quickening the seasonal transition to comfort foods and indoor oven cooking. Moreover, grocers are gearing up for the inpouring of holiday shoppers now that Thanksgiving is just three short weeks away.
The holiday centerpiece—turkey—is under close watch as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu...
Bird Flu Detected in Several U.S. Commercial Turkey Flocks Last Week
Last week, several commercial turkey operations spanning four states reported positive detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a highly contagious and often fatal disease in birds.
HPAI can be spread by direct or indirect contact with infected domestic or wild birds including ducks and geese. The disease can also be spread by contact with the virus on surfaces such as hands, shoes, clothing, and animal fur.
Poultry owners are urged to increase their biosecurity practices to protect their flocks, especially with fall migration underway.
California
On October 26, HPAI was detected in...
The Retail Rundown: Keeping a Watchful Eye on Bird Flu
The threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has resurfaced, with USDA reporting detections among commercial turkey flocks in South Dakota, Utah, and Minnesota earlier this month and again last week.
The fall migration of wild birds as they head south for winter could bring a new wave of infection, renewing concerns among market participants about the potential supply and trade implications of bird flu. The latest detections were on Friday, October 13, on two WOAH Non-Poultry operations located in North Dakota and Montana along with one commercial turkey...
Tulsa CBP Seizes Potentially Harmful Agricultural Products from Asia
Agriculture specialists prevent potential disease or pest infestation outbreak from peanuts, birds nests
Agriculture Specialists from U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently seized several products that could have potentially caused an animal disease or pest infestation outbreak of had they been allowed into the United States.
The first of two products involved a shipment was labeled and manifested as jewelry but contained a box of edible birds’ nests that weighed 1.2 kilograms. Edible birds’ nests are prohibited due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle Disease (ND)...
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