The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) announced that researchers have reclassified the number of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus strains from 25 to only six unique genotypes. This scientific innovation may help redefine how ASF researchers across the globe classify ASF virus (ASFV) isolates and may make it easier for scientists to develop vaccines that match the different …

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced the addition of Madison Wyman as its policy communications specialist, effective Nov. 13. The Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program is sponsoring a shearing school, hosted by the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Purdue University’s Animal Science Research and Education Center sheep unit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture …

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently reintroduced the Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully (MEAT) Act to end deceptive labeling practices for alternative protein products. The Real MEAT Act would clarify the definition of beef and pork for labeling purposes by requiring alternative proteins to clearly display the word “imitation” on their packaging. The …

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced progress on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) comprehensive approach to address the many, complex competition issues in agricultural markets and create a fairer playing field for small- and mid-size farmers. In support of these efforts, USDA has finalized the first in a series of rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act, which is aimed …

The Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) has started working on the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) project Implementing Precision Ag Tech to Expand the Participation of Small Grazing Dairy Farms in Climate-Smart Commodities. The $4.7 million project, which will enable small dairy producers to access climate-smart grazing technology and engage in a climate-smart marketplace for their products, is part of the …

The Meat Institute announced Dr. KatieRose McCullough was appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) bringing her scientific expertise and industry knowledge to federal food safety agencies. FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative General Manager Jeff Lyon provided written testimony to the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government in support of …

Livestock Publications Council (LPC) annually inducts one of its distinguished leaders into the Hall of Fame. This honor is reserved for those who have adhered to high standards of professionalism in all aspects of their endeavors. LPC’s Headliner Award Program, inaugurated in 1980, salutes an individual for meritorious service to the livestock industry. The award annually honors a person from …

Smithfield Foods will close its Charlotte, North Carolina, pork-processing plant and transfer production to its Tar Heel, North Carolina, facility to increase efficiency and better utilize existing capacity. The company will provide financial and other transition assistance to the 107 employees who are affected by this closure and will meet with employees to discuss options including transfer to other Smithfield …

The cost of purchasing a turkey could be lower this Thanksgiving, thanks to a drop in avian influenza cases and a recovery of the turkey population in the United States. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed turkey and egg prices in the latest Market Intel report, which states the average price for an eight to 16-pound turkey typically served for …

As of Sept. 1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from September 2022 and up 2 percent from June 1, 2023, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Experimental lines of field corn developed by a team of Agricultural Research Service …