Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced updated regulations under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). The “Farmer Fair Practices Rules” outline “common sense protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Packers and Stockyards Act.” Joining Vilsack for the announcement were National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson and Mike Weaver, president of the …
North American Meat Institute Economic Analysis
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) conducted a new economic impact analysis, along with John Dunham & Associates, identifying the U.S. meat and poultry industries account for $1.02 trillion in total economic output or 5.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The complete release on the analysis can be found here. NAMI held a press conference this morning to discuss …
USDA Secretary Addresses Dairy and Meat Issues
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to the joint meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) in Orlando this week, highlighting the positives in the face of lower milk prices and discussing the opportunities for the industry to move forward in the future. In an …
AFIA Reaction to Food Safety Modernization Act
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) hosted a press conference to provide their reaction to the Food Safety Modernization Act “Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Preventive Controls for Food for Animals” final rule. The call featured staff experts Richard Sellers, senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs, and Leah Wilkinson, director of ingredients, pet food and …
Canada and Mexico on COOL Retaliation
With the World Trade Organization Wednesday to hear formal requests from Mexico and Canada to retaliate against the United States over Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for meat products, a Global Business Dialogue panel at the National Press Club Tuesday was very timely. The panel, which was sponsored by the National Pork Producers Council, featured representatives from both countries discussing …
House Votes to Repeal COOL for Meat
By a vote of 300 to 131, the House of Representatives passed legislation late Wednesday to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef, pork and chicken. “I am thankful for the support of my colleagues today in passing this common-sense, bipartisan bill that is a necessary targeted response to avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico,” said House Agriculture Committee …
New Food Bio Security Facility Groundbreaking
This week Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack helped to break ground on the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Secretaries Johnson and Vilsack were joined by a number of dignitaries on Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking, including Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran of Kansas, …
COOL Ruling Reactions
The World Trade Organization this week issued its fourth and final ruling against the United States over Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for livestock and meat products. The final ruling maintained previous conclusions that “the amended COOL measure increases the record-keeping burden for imported livestock entailed by the original COOL measure.” Asked for his reaction, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says …
2015 International Production and Processing Expo
The 2015 International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) was held January 27-29 in Atlanta, GA and is home for the International Poultry Expo, International Feed Expo and the International Meat Expo. Photos from the event can be found here: 2015 International Production and Processing Expo Photos Novus Strives for Solutions, Service & Sustainability – Poultry Industry Supports TPA – Sustainable …
Missouri Beef Industry Summit
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon convened a summit on Monday to discuss opportunities to maximize the potential of Missouri’s beef cattle industry. Topics at the Summit included the feasibility of building and operating a large-scale packing plant in Missouri and expanding the number of in-state feeding facilities which could allow Missouri to gain about $1.7 billion a year in revenue.
NCBA Concerns About Beef Checkoff
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met earlier this week with the Beef Checkoff working group and reportedly told them he’s planning on implementing a new checkoff program for the industry by January, 2016. Speaking were NCBA president Bob McCan, NCBA immediate past president Scott George, and NCBA CEO Forrest Roberts.
Hereford Genetic Summit
Missouri State University’s Darr Agricultural Center served as home for the American Hereford Association’s Hereford Genetic Summit. Hereford breeders from across the country gathered to talk about what tomorrow’s consumers want, how the economic drivers of the beef industry come into play for breeders, what genetics commercial producers are seeking and responsibilities of seedstock producers. Hereford Summit Photo Album. Using …
Ditch the Rule at Missouri State Fair
Agriculture’s “Ditch the Rule” campaign against the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule was highlighted at the Missouri State Fair this week. Three Republican members of Missouri’s congressional delegation held a press conference at the fair, organized by the the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Farm Bureau. Senator Roy Blunt …
Cow That Stole Christmas 10 Years Later
On December 23, 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the first known case of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in the United States. It was in an adult Holstein cow in the state of Washington, which quickly became known as the “cow that stole Christmas.” In this interview, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) chief operating officer Kendal Frazier recalls how …
BIVI North Carolina Health Seminar
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) held its annual North Carolina Health Seminar for swine producers in this important region August 16-18 at Wrightsville Beach. The event featured several speakers who addressed some of the significant issues addressed producers today. BIVI NC Swine Seminar Photo Album New executive director of the swine business for BIVI – PEDv Update for Swine Producers – …