ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Crack New Record Highs Amid Strong Demand, Depleted Inventories

The U.S. shell egg market cracked a new all-time high on Tuesday, as strong demand continues to chip away at already-low inventory levels, which have been curtailed by this year’s bird flu outbreak and, more recently, seasonal flock rotations...

Forseth New NPPC Director of Animal Health

The National Pork Producers Council has hired Dr. Anna Forseth for the newly created position of director of animal health. She will focus on foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness, as well as antibiotic use and resistance issues.

“We welcome Dr. Forseth to the NPPC team,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “She has a wealth of knowledge about hogs and swine diseases and a great background in swine research. We know she will be a great asset to and resource for the U.S. pork industry.”

A Montana native who grew...

SHIC Receives Pork Checkoff Funding for Program Extension to 2027

The National Pork Board of directors has approved an additional $15 million investment of Pork Checkoff funds in the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) extending funding through 2027.

Launched with Checkoff funds in 2015, SHIC works to protect and enhance the health of the U.S. swine herd. This is done through coordinated global disease monitoring, targeted research investments that minimize the impact of future disease threats and analysis of swine health data.

The investment brings direct value back to producers through SHIC’s animal health research priorities...

ASI and NCBA Awarded USDA/APHIS Grant to Develop Guidance for Livestock Grazing

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is providing more than $200,000 dollars in Farm Bill funding to support the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) in developing movement decision criteria for sheep and cattle grazing public land allotments during a potential foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. There are several agencies involved in issuing public land grazing permits in 14 states for 22,000 ranchers. These are not the same agencies responsible for FAD response. This funding will allow collaboration among...

Poultry Markets Bullish on Demand Recovery and Challenging Supply

Global poultry markets are expected to be strong in 2022, on the back of reopening economies, increasing vaccination levels, and stronger economic conditions. This improving global market context will be a bumpy road, though, with ups and downs following Covid-19 developments. The industry will need to be ready to adjust sales channels in response to government measures. The operational side will also see challenges, as feed and other input costs, like freight and energy, are expected to stay high. The availability and cost of labor has become a big issue...

Pork Producers Lobby Lawmakers on Issues

Preventing foreign animal diseases, addressing a shortage of agricultural workers and reauthorizing a livestock price reporting law are the primary issues on which pork producers will lobby their congressional lawmakers over the next two days, during the fall Capitol Hill fly-in of the National Pork Producers Council. More than 100 producers from across the country are expected to participate virtually in NPPC’s Legislative Action Conference.

“These are critical but by no means the only issues of concern to U.S. pork producers,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in...

NCBA Urges Vilsack to Halt Brazilian Beef Imports

Today, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) called on Secretary Vilsack to immediately suspend all imports of fresh beef from Brazil to the United States.

In the letter to USDA, NCBA asked for a suspension until the agency conducts a thorough risk assessment and review of the processes that Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) uses to detect disease and other threats to consumers. NCBA also urged USDA to review Brazil's veterinary diagnostic laboratory system.

"It's time to keep Brazilian fresh beef out of this country until USDA can..."

Pork Checkoff: Understanding PRRS 1-4-4

The swine industry is battling a tough strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus – PRRS 1-4-4 Lineage 1C. It is an unusual strain because infections peak in spring/summer, as well as fall/winter months, compared to other strains that typically only peak in fall/winter months. However, pork producers have the prevention tools to combat the pathogen and prevent spread, including biosecurity and research.

For the October Pork Checkoff producer webinar, animal health experts presented guidance, biosecurity considerations and recent research on PRRS. Speakers included:

- Pat Bane, Illinois pork producer...