Livestock Articles
Regulatory Changes Sought for Small Meat Processors
Published June 10, 2020
Six Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee, including North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong, are asking USDA to ease regulations on meat processors. The lawmakers say smaller meat processors need more flexibility to compete against the major packer/processors.Packers Approach Normal Slaughter Levels
Published June 10, 2020
Packing plants are approaching pre-COVID levels. USDA says beef and poultry processors are operating at 98 percent of their average capacity. Pork plants are running at 95 percent capacity. In making the announcement, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue praised farmers and…DOJ Launches Antitrust Investigation
Published June 8, 2020
The Justice Department is investigating the major beef packers for possible antitrust violations. Civil subpoenas have been issued to JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill and National Beef Packing. Earlier this year, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the Agriculture Department would extend…USDA Releases Sign-Up Stats from First Week of CFAP
Published June 5, 2020
In the first week of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program sign-up, the USDA Farm Service Agency said they received more than 86,000 applications. The USDA approved more than $545 million in payments to U.S. producers. Most of those payments went…More Sunflowers Going In
Published June 5, 2020
Solen, North Dakota farmer and rancher Kenny Schmidt typically grows wheat, corn and sunflowers. More acres this year have flipped from wheat to sunflowers. "Wheat is hard to make work anymore; it appears like there's always some kind of discount…MN Beef Update
Published June 3, 2020
There are a few things beef producers should keep in mind when signing up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Learn more from the new Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association Executive Director Allison VanDerWal in the Minnesota Beef Update.The Backlog of Hogs Continues in MN
Published June 2, 2020
While pork packing plant capacity has increased in the last few weeks, Minnesota Pork Producers Association CEO David Preisler said it’s going to be difficult for the pork industry to move forward. Minnesota’s pork packing plants are running up to…Bison Industry Continues to Seek COVID-19 Related Assistance
Published June 1, 2020
Several agriculture-related industries, including bison producers, asked and did not received aid from the most recent U.S. economic relief bill. Over the past six weeks, carcass prices for bison have declined rapidly since the coronavirus pandemic hit. National Bison Association…Pork Industry Trying to Find the Positives in a Negative Situation
Published June 1, 2020
It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these tough times in agriculture, fourth-generation hog producer Kevin Hugoson from Granada, Minnesota is trying to find the positives. "One blessing in our family is both…