PODCAST: UK Beef Chats Episode 29

This week on UK Beef Chats, market expert Mike Nesbitt discusses production issues hindering the beef supply chain, processing capacity still hit by uncertainty, updates on transportation issues and more.

House of Representatives Delegation Pushes USDA to Support Small Meat, Poultry Processors

A delegation of 30 members of the House of Representatives issued a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pushing for increased support for small meat and poultry processors across the nation.

The House Members put together a letter addressed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), commending them on their announcement of a $500 million investment for small and regional processors, but also...

NCBA Thanks President Biden, Secretary Vilsack for Taking Steps to Strengthen Beef Supply Chain

President Biden signed an Executive Order which initiates several federal rulemakings and commits $500 million to expanding processing capacity in the beef industry. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) thanked President Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack for acting rapidly to address key concerns impacting cattle and beef producers.

NCBA welcomed the announcement of rulemakings to improve the accuracy of the "Product of the USA" beef label and implement...

USDA Announces $500 Million for Expanded Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity

The USDA announced it intends to make significant investments to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and poultry processing to make agricultural markets more accessible, fair, competitive, and resilient for American farmers and ranchers. This is one of several key steps that USDA will take to increase competition in agricultural markets, pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting competition and as part of USDA efforts to build a more resilient supply chain and better food system. Together, USDA’s actions will help farmers, ranchers, farmworkers and consumers all get a fair shake.

Specifically, USDA announced its intent to invest $500 million in American Rescue Plan funds to expand meat and poultry processing capacity so that farmers, ranchers, and...

Lawmakers Ask Biden Administration to Help Hog Farmers 

Seventy lawmakers joined Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Reps. Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) in letters asking the administration to stop a recent court order from harming U.S. hog farmers. The letters call on Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Acting Solicitor General Prelogar to appeal a recent federal district court striking down pork harvest facility line speeds allowed under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). The court order, set to go into effect on June 29, will lead to pork industry concentration and increased market power for plant operators at the expense of small hog farmers. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is calling for a longer stay of the court order and/or waivers that would allow the six impacted plants to continue...

NPPC: Court Ruling Undermines U.S. Pork Industry Competition 

A federal district court ruling striking down pork harvest facility line speeds allowed under the USDA’s New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) will lead to increased U.S. pork industry market concentration. The ruling, set to go into effect on June 29, will undermine what is currently a healthy level of industry competition as described in a paper recently prepared by two industry economists. To preserve industry competition, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is calling for a longer stay of the court order or waivers that allow the six impacted plants to continue operating at NSIS line speeds until a long-term solution acceptable to all industry stakeholders can be established.

Competition, which has fostered innovation, job growth and industry expansion, has made...

Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Remains Resilient

In response to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s request for comments on efforts to improve supply chains for the production of agricultural commodities and food products, The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) said the meat and poultry food supply chain remains resilient despite extraordinary circumstances.

“The pandemic that began in 2020 and continues today may be the ultimate black swan event,” said Meat Institute Senior Vice President for Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Mark Dopp. “But its occurrence does not...

USDA Invests to Increase Capacity and Expand Access in Meat and Poultry Inspection Operations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $55.2 million in competitive grant funding available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. The new program is funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

“We are building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors and producers across the country.” Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Through MPIRG, meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities can cover the costs for necessary improvements to...

NCBA Joins Dialogue with Sec. Vilsack on Build Back Better Initiative

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association joined an agriculture industry call with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack to discuss the path forward for the recently-announced $4 billion Build Back Better initiative.

During the coalition call, there was a productive, positive dialogue on how funds could best be utilized to strengthen the security of the beef supply chain and increase opportunities for profitability for all sectors of the cattle industry.

In yesterday's announcement, USDA outlined four areas of focus for the program — food production, food processing, aggregation and...