Livestock Articles
Interim Guidance Issued for Meat Processors During COVID-19
Published April 27, 2020
On Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and the Occupational Safety and Health Organization issued interim guidance for meat and poultry processing facilities. The guidance outlines the importance of an assessment and control plan. Employees should be six feet apart…U.S. Cattle Industry is Waiting on Further Assistance Details
Published April 27, 2020
Cattle producers are slated to receive $5.1 billion of the $9.6 billion in USDA direct payments for the livestock industry. However, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Senior Policy Analyst Jess Peterson says the industry is waiting on specific details. "The Department of…Driving the Demand for Beef
Published April 27, 2020
Cattle prices have plummeted in recent weeks due to supply chain disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the current challenges, Cattlemen’s Beef Board chairman Jared Brackett says the checkoff program continues to drive demand for beef. The mandatory Beef Checkoff…Euthanasia Situation to Accelerate This Week
Published April 27, 2020
With closed plants and a growing backlog of hogs, depopulation has begun for Minnesota’s swine herd and will accelerate this week. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has resources available on euthanasia and carcass disposal on its website. Indemnity payments are…‘Last Resort’ Options Discussed for Mass Depopulation
Published April 27, 2020
The National Pork Board hosted a rare Sunday afternoon webinar to outline recommended methods for the emergency mass euthanasia and disposal of pigs. Coronavirus has resulted processing plant closures and slowdowns resulting in this unparalleled situation. American Veterinary Medical Association…Dramatic Drop in Cattle Placements
Published April 27, 2020
Friday’s cattle on feed report offered dramatic news for the industry. March feedlot placements totaled 1.5 million head, down 23 percent from 2019. That is the lowest total since this series of reports began in 1996. Placements were down 21…Petition Drive Underway for Mandatory COOL
Published April 27, 2020
R-CALF USA has launched a petition urging President Trump and Congress to immediately pass mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, pork and dairy products. Within the first 30 hours, the petition received 26,000 signatures. R-CALF says the labeling law is needed…USDA Establishes National Incident Coordination Center
Published April 26, 2020
The USDA is establishing a National Incident Coordination Center to provide direct support to producers whose animals cannot go to market. Moving forward, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Coordination Center, state veterinarians and other state officials will…Goehring: Ag Industry Keeps Moving Forward
Published April 25, 2020
North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says the primary focus for the ND Department of Agriculture is to keep the industry moving forward. There are many moving pieces right now. "Whether we're working on H2-A labors issues or working with…