Livestock Articles
Legal Wranglings for the Beef Checkoff
Published January 30, 2020
Supporters of the mandatory beef checkoff got a major legal win in a lawsuit filed by R-CALF USA. A magistrate judge granted a summary judgement allowing state beef councils to continue their work on promotion and research. This decision now…MN Beef Update
Published January 29, 2020
Minnesota Beef Quality Assurance programs are coming up. Minnesota Beef Council Executive Director Karin Schaefer has more in this edition of the Beef Update.Glover Joins Public Lands Council
Published January 29, 2020
Kaitlynn Glover has joined the Public Lands Council as its executive director. Glover will serve as chief lobbyist for the organization in this role. Previously, she worked for Wyoming Senator John Barrasso.Dairy Industry Seeks Increased Market Access
Published January 29, 2020
In recent months, the U.S. has negotiated trade deals with Japan, China, Mexico and Canada. Speaking at the Dairy Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona, International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO Michael Dykes said more trade agreements are needed. In particular,…JBS Signs MOU with Chinese Firm
Published January 28, 2020
The Brazilian-based meatpacker, JBS, has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s WH Group. JBS will supply up to $717 million of fresh beef, pork and poultry to the Chinese meat and food processing company each year. The WH Group…DOJ Investigates Potential Dairy Deal
Published January 28, 2020
The Department of Justice is investigating a possible deal between Dean Foods and Dairy Farmers of America. Dean Foods is seeking bankruptcy protection and there’s speculation DFA is interested in a portion of their business. Antitrust officials are considering the…A Small Bump in U.S. Milk Output
Published January 27, 2020
Milk production in the 24 major dairy states totaled 17.4 billion pounds in December, up 0.9 percent from last year. In Minnesota, the size of the dairy herd declined 5,000 head and milk production is down 0.1 percent. South Dakota’s…Approval Sought for Border Protection
Published January 27, 2020
More than 70 agriculture groups are asking the House Homeland Security Committee to authorize funding for additional agricultural inspectors at international ports of entry. Similar legislation passed by unanimous consent in the Senate last fall. The bill calls for $222…Latest COF Numbers Come In at 12 Million Head
Published January 27, 2020
The latest Cattle on Feed Report was mostly in-line with expectations. The USDA report says there are 12 million cattle on feed for slaughter as of January 1, a two percent increase from one year ago. That includes 7.3 million…