The combined U.S. and Canadian cattle, hog, and sheep herds have gotten smaller. That decline is largely due to producer concerns about profitability and increased export competition. In a joint report from the USDA and Statistics Canada, the combined hog herd at the end of December 2023 was slightly lower than the year before, with…… Continue Reading
U.S. broiler numbers were mixed last week. The USDA says 242.91 million eggs went into incubation, slightly lower than the previous week, but a little bit above a year ago, heading into meat production later this month. Average hatchability was 79.1%. 186.593 million chicks were moved into meat production, up modestly on the week, but…… Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release at least three new regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act and a government affairs specialist is interested to see the third proposed rule. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the harm to competition rule is being reviewed at the Office of Management and Budget.…… Continue Reading
A southwest Missouri beef processing plant is preparing to close next month. Missouri Prime Beef Packers will close in late April, because the Missouri Department of Natural Resources didn’t approve the company’s clean water treatment proposal. State representative Jim Kalberloh says “farmers from southwest Missouri have benefitted from the company being there.” He says before…… Continue Reading
The pork industry remains focused on growing domestic demand and the executive director for Illinois Pork says the nation’s third-largest city is a perfect place to do that. Jennifer Tirey says the association is working to reach Chicago’s urban consumers… “Promotional activities that we are doing with checkoff dollars from our producers in this state.” …… Continue Reading
The U.S. ethanol supply is the largest in nearly a year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says domestic stocks are the biggest in the last 50 weeks at 26.051 million barrels, an increase of 29,000 on the week and 731,000 on the year. The Renewable Fuels Association says demand indicators were friendly, with net inputs…… Continue Reading
The immediate past president of the National Pork Board says she’s optimistic about the upcoming year despite a tumultuous 2023. This past year will go down as pork producers’ worst year on record. But, Heather Hill of Indiana says unlike in 1998 pork producers were able to better weather the economic storm. “A big difference,…… Continue Reading
A global strategist for grain and oilseeds with Rabobank says he’s getting mixed signals on what U.S. farmers intend to plant this spring. Stephen Nicholson says soybean margins look better than corn margins. However “talking with seed companies, there continues to be really good corn sales. Their farmer surveys show farmers want to plant more…… Continue Reading
The U.S. cattle industry remains concerned about the USDA’s recent decision to allow beef imports from Paraguay. Kent Bacus with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association tells Brownfield the objection has nothing to do with competition and everything to do with animal health. “Yeah, they could put the health of our herd at risk, and that’s…… Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is finalizing a new rule to set clearer standards on discrimination and retaliation in livestock contracts under the Packers and Stockyards Act. The inclusive competition rule doesn’t allow hostile treatment of livestock and poultry growers based on race, color, sex, age or disability. It also doesn’t allow discrimination against a…… Continue Reading
