AFBF Appreciates Packers and Stockyards Act Updates

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s release of the Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets proposed rule, intended to improve fairness and competition in the livestock, meat and poultry sectors. This is the fourth rule issued by USDA to address fairness and competitiveness in livestock markets under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

“We appreciate USDA’s ongoing work to bring fairness to the marketplace for America’s farmers and ranchers. The proposed rule may impact growers differently depending on their business structure...

Proposed Changes to Packers & Stockyards Act Rules Will Hurt Meat and Poultry Producers, Consumers

Will Set Meat Quality & Consumer Demand Back Decades

The latest proposed rule change to the Packers and Stockyards Act by the Biden Administration is attempting to set meat production back decades by encouraging litigation and limiting how livestock producers can market their animals to packers.

In the proposed rule, USDA attempts to circumvent Congress and the courts to reverse the longstanding legal standard that parties must demonstrate harm to competition to sue and win under the Packers and Stockyards Act Section 202(a) or (b)...

China Welcomes US Dairy Firms Expanding in the Country, Vice Minister says

China welcomes dairy companies from all countries, including the U.S., to expand their business in the Chinese market, Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said on Tuesday.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with U.S. Dairy Export Council President Krysta Harden, the ministry said in a statement.

The visit came days after the ministry said China may impose provisional anti-dumping measures on pork imports from the European Union as part of a year-long probe that began on June 17...

Farmers to Get Subsidised Egg-Laying Hens

Egg-laying hens will continue to be provided to farmers at a subsidised rate under the Rawalpindi Poultry Research Institute programme as per the directions of the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Dairy Development.

During his visit to the Institute, Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated, "We are committed to supporting our farmers and promoting the poultry industry in the province.

Resuming this programme will help reduce the cost of production for farmers and increase egg production, making eggs more affordable for consumers."...

MDARD: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Three New Dairy Herds

Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in additional dairy herds from Clinton, Gratiot, and Ionia counties. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.

Regardless of species, biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI. On May 1, 2024, Director Boring issued the Determination of Extraordinary Emergency HPAI Risk Reduction...

DOA: Australian Government Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea

Decision on how and when

The Australian Government has announced the export of live sheep by sea will end on 1 May 2028.

Legislation will be introduced in this term of the Australian Parliament to end the trade in law.

Trade can continue until the end date without any additional restrictions such as caps or quotas. The prohibition will not apply to other livestock export industries, such as live cattle exports, nor will it apply to live sheep exports by air...

USDA Issues FAQ on Federal Order Requiring Bird Flu Testing in Dairy Cattle

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a Federal Order requiring mandatory testing of lactating dairy cattle for bird flu before interstate movement. Effective Monday, April 29, 2024, the order also mandates reporting positive influenza A test results in livestock to USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) causes less severe illness in cattle than in poultry, in which the virus is typically fatal, but remains a concern for livestock and humans who come into contact with infected animals...

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

• Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive...

ADM Animal Nutrition Expands Recall to Include 17 Additional Lots of Chicken, Swine and Rabbit Feed 

ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM , is expanding the recall announced on March, 30, 2024, to include the following additional products due to elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium and/or phosphorus: Pen Pals® Chicken Starter-Grower (Product Nos. 70009AAA46 and 70009AAA44); Pen Pals Egg Maker Complete (Product No. 70010AAAE4); MaxLean GF Concentrate (Product No. 12354AAA); ShowTec Sow Ration with Thermal Care (Product No. 12343AAA); ShowTec BB 18 BMD (Product No. 18241AGNE4); ShowTec BB 18 BMD/DBZ (Product No. 18241PLM)...

ADM Animal Nutrition Recalls Select Chicken, Swine, Cattle and Horse Feed Products

Specific lots may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride and may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine

ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM, is recalling the following products:

• Pen Pals® Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb bag (Product No 70009ACF46)
• Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 50-lb bag (Product No. 70009AAA44)
• Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb case (Product No. 70009AAABE)
• MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF DEN 50-lb. bag (Product No 21256CVWE4)...

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...

Cargill Launches REVEAL™ Layers, a First-Of-Its-Kind, Non-Invasive NIR Technology

As the poultry industry continues to explore ways to achieve gains in hen laying production, Cargill’s REVEAL™ Layers can help poultry layer producers get there. Using Cargill’s innovative, non-invasive Near InfraRed (NIR) technology, producers and nutritionists have immediate access to body composition assessments of their hens. This allows them to make real-time decisions regarding diets to support their flocks’ long-term production and performance.

It is believed that overdeveloped fat pads in laying hens are problematic for long-term egg production and optimal...

Major U.S. Winter Storm May Hinder Livestock Movement

Livestock producers and road crews are preparing for a major winter storm that will impact a significant portion of the country this week. 

The Plains and Midwest, where the bulk of the nation's cattle and hog-producing regions are located, could experience heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions through Tuesday. Meanwhile, damaging winds and severe thunderstorms are expected for the deep South through the Northeast today into tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). 

Whiteout conditions due to heavy snowfall combined with severe wind gusts could...

CME Grain Futures Pressured by Improved Moisture in Brazil

CME soybean futures began the new year at multi-month lows, pressured by improved moisture in Brazil and extended forecasts for additional rainfall. 

The March soybeans contract slipped to the lowest level since June 30 and ended with a 24 ½ cents decline at $12.73 per bushel. 

Brazil is the world’s leading producer of soybeans, followed by the United States and Argentina. The planting season in Brazil occurs from October through December, with harvest taking place in March through May...

Farmers Concerned About Effects of California's New Animal Welfare Law

A new animal welfare law going into effect in California Jan. 1 that mandates space requirements for pigs, cows and chickens has some livestock farmers on edge.

Proposition 12 prohibits sales in California of pork, veal and eggs from livestock whose confinement doesn't meet certain minimum space rules. Those rules mandate hog pens to be large enough for an animal to turn around.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, ruling 5-4 that "while the Constitution addresses many weighty issues, the type of pork chops California merchants...

duBreton Farms are Now Certified by the California Animal Care Program (Prop12)

As a leader in animal welfare, duBreton is proud to announce that they are one of the first companies to be certified and ready for the implementation of California's Proposition 12 which restricts gestation crate usage and requires 24 square feet of space per sow.

"Today, we take another step forward, since we are not just compliant, but fully audited and ready for California's Proposition 12, which goes into effect on January 1st, 2024," declared Vincent Breton, CEO...

NCBA Secures Senate Introduction of Legislation to Protect Producers from Black Vultures

This week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the introduction of the Senate version of the Black Vulture Relief Act introduced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a companion bill to legislation introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year that protects cattle producers from the devastating impacts of black vulture depredation.

“Black vultures are particularly nasty predators, and their attacks can be financially devastating to small, family-owned cattle operations,” said NCBA Policy Division Chair Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer...

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...

Grain Oversupply and Lower Feed Prices Bolster Ukrainian Livestock Industry

As Ukraine keeps experiencing difficulties exporting grain, domestic feed prices have been following a downward trajectory for several months.

During the past three months, domestic feed prices in Ukraine have plummeted, commented Maxym Gopka, an analyst with Ukrainian Agribusiness Club UCAB. As a result, in the pig industry, feed now accounts for a 19% lower share in production costs than in June, while in the chicken industry, this figure has dropped by 17%. Cheap feed helps the Ukrainian livestock industry.

"Prices are quite low, and this helps the industry to...

Tyson and Protix Plan US Insect Protein Facility JV

Tyson Foods has entered a joint venture with Netherlands-based insect protein company Protix to build an insect ingredient facility in the continental United States.

The companies claim that upon completion, it will be the first at-scale facility of its kind to upcycle food manufacturing byproducts into insect proteins and lipids for use in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries. The facility will include an enclosed system for breeding, incubating, and hatching of insect larvae. Protix currently produces and processes 14,000 tonnes LLE annually at its Netherlands facility...

Record Breaking Heat Across Central U.S. Poses Risks to Livestock, Crops

The extreme heat impacting a large portion of the country this week has posed significant challenges for producers and their livestock. 

Highs into the upper 90s and low 100s are forecast for a broad region between the Midwest and central Gulf Coast today, according to the National Weather Service. Coupled with high humidity levels, heat indices could approach 120 degrees in some regions. While it's not unusual for August to experience heat, the current temperatures have shattered records. 

Over 110 million people across 20 states are currently under heat... 

Improved Rainfall Sends Soybean Futures to Multi-Week Lows

Widespread showers have largely benefitted corn and soybeans in the nation's key crop-producing regions, sending soybean futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to multi-week lows on Monday.

November soybeans shed over 31 cents and fell to the lowest level since June 30, closing at $13.02 per bushel. 

In the latest USDA Crop Progress report, good to excellent ratings for soybeans were reported at 54%, up 2% from the week prior. Soybeans blooming moved up to 90%, above past progress benchmarks...

Livestock Futures Swept Up in Broad Losses Following Fitch Downgrade

Earlier this week, Fitch Ratings downgraded the United States’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to AA+ from AAA. This was the first time the U.S. received a downgrade from one of the three main rating agencies since 2011.

Fitch cited several drivers behind its decision, including “a steady deterioration in standards of governance over the last 20 years, including on fiscal and debt matters, notwithstanding the June bipartisan agreement to suspend the debt limit until January 2025.” The full report can be found here...