News Archives
Second Michigan dairy worker tests positive for bird flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced the second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy worker in a week, and the third this year, but the agency said the risk to the public remains low.

China blocks beef from US plant over detection of ractopamine
China has blocked beef imports from the JBS Greeley, Colorado plant, according to a notice on the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection website.
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Ag trade deficit widens, China market slumps
USDA on Wednesday increased its forecast for agricultural imports for fiscal 2024, while projected ag exports remain unchanged at $170.5 billion, boosting the estimated U.S. ag trade deficit to $32 billion.

Federal judge drops cow-calf producers as plaintiffs in price-fixing lawsuit
A federal judge in Minnesota has ruled that a handful of cow-calf producers don't have standing to sue the country's largest packers over a drop in fed cattle prices in 2015.

Drought plans should be updated, as weather predictions could impact forage
In parts of the High Plains region, recent developing dry conditions are starting to raise concerns that we may see reduced forage production from pasture and rangelands as we move on into the rest of the spring and summer.

IDALS: 4.2 million chickens impacted by HPAI in Sioux County
Officials have confirmed a recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Sioux County, Iowa impacted 4.2 million commercial egg-laying chickens.

83% of U.S. corn, 68% of soybeans planted
U.S. corn and soybean planting both remain ahead of average. That’s despite last week’s heavy rainfall in some areas, including flooding, severe storms, and the loss of human life, with most forecasts showing a good near-term planting window for much of the region this week.

Has the Pacific Southern Oscilation Index started moving to La Nina?
The closely watched atmospheric pressure side of the Pacific Ocean El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is showing a move toward the La Nina side of the spectrum.

Farm bill outcome could hinge on November election results
Enacting a new farm bill remains a long shot this year due to the tight calendar and the fact that lawmakers remain sharply divided over both policy and funding, raising the possibility of new scenarios in 2025 that depend on the outcome of this fall's elections.

USMEF members examine consumer trends, promotion of underutilized cuts
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) wrapped up its Spring Conference Friday, May 24, with a closing general session focused on red meat industry efforts to build demand in international markets for beef and pork cuts that have limited domestic use.

Soybean gall midge shows up in two Kansas counties
Soybean gall midge, a new pest to soybean production in the United States, has been found in two northeast Kansas counties.

Livestock economist says robust expansion of the cattle herd still isn't happening
A livestock economist says the latest Cattle on Feed report from the USDA indicates the herd still isn’t growing. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says, “I think we’re going to keep getting tighter.”

USDA announces positive H5N1 finding in muscle sample from a condemned dairy cow; no meat from dairy cow entered food supply
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the food supply, has conducted tests on beef tissue from 96 cull dairy cows condemned at select FSIS-inspected facilities.

Farmers fight weather in planting race
Farming in southeastern Idaho requires different levels of weather resiliency. This week Dan Lakey watched snow fall on a newly emerging canola crop as freezing conditions cast an uncertain future on the tender seedlings.

NCGA reflects on farm bill markup
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 has passed the House Committee on Agriculture by a vote of 33-21.

FDA OKs Bovaer, methane-reducing feed ingredient in dairy cattle
The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed the safety and efficacy of methane-reducing feed ingredient Bovaer in lactating dairy cows, says Elanco Animal Health.

GOP members hold off attempts to amend farm bill in late-night committee vote
The House Agriculture Committee early Friday morning advanced a farm bill after pushing back on Democratic efforts to halt cuts to nutrition and changes to conservation programs.

Pork producers one step closer to certainty as bipartisan solution for Prop. 12 clears House Agriculture Committee
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased to announce the U.S. House Agriculture Committee has passed their 2024 Farm Bill, which supported all of producer’s farm bill requests, including a federal fix to the host of Prop. 12 issues plaguing producers and consumers.

Stabenow says she's waiting for Senate Republican farm bill text
The Senate Ag Committee Chair says farm bill negotiations can start as soon as Republican leaders release their priorities.

Rural dominance: GOP controls more than 80 of top 100 ag districts
Republicans are tightening their grip on farm country, holding all but eighteen of the top 100 districts in terms of agricultural sales, according to an Agri-Pulse analysis of newly released data from USDa's 2022 agricultural census.

Manage the stress following tornadoes and severe storms
Iowans are coping with the surge of tornadoes and severe storms that impacted many communities. Many will be affected regardless of whether they were hurt or lost a loved one.

May 1 Cattle on Feed Report could show total on-feed numbers lower, marketings up
Friday's May 1 Cattle on Feed report will be one worth combing through as the report is expected to differ from months past with total on-feed numbers potentially lighter than a year ago and marketings up dramatically.

Vilsack outlines his opposition to House farm bill
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he has “deep concerns” about the House Ag Committee’s version of the new farm bill.

Second case of bird flu in human this year confirmed in Michigan dairy worker
Another worker at a dairy farm has been infected with avian flu, most likely through contact with a cow, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

NCGA shares views on House Farm Bill
In a letter sent to the House Committee on Agriculture, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Harold Wolle reacted to the recently released House Farm Bill legislation. The committee is expected to markup the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 on Thursday, May 23.

Sen. Moran introduces legislation to expand career opportunities in agriculture for veterans
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – Wednesday introduced legislation to codify and expand a program that provides veterans with resources and opportunities to pursue careers in the agriculture industry.

House plan puts more 'farm in the farm bill' but widens payment disparities
Government spending on farm commodities would increase an estimated 77% over 10 years under the House-proposed farm bill. But the bill also would "magnify existing disparities" in payments per acre.

NPPC, Farm Bureau lead nearly 1,000 in coalition to urge Congressional fix to California Prop. 12
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) joined forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to garner support from 900+ agricultural stakeholders supporting the federal fix to California Prop. 12 to be included in the 2024 Farm Bill.


