- Despite significant disruptions in trade throughout 2020, the United States exported nearly 2.4 million metric tons of dairy goods last year–a record-setting mark, according to data released by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
- Following one of the most difficult years in the history of the American sheep industry, Susan Shultz of Ohio has been elected to lead the American Sheep Industry Association as its next president. Shultz was unanimously elected during the final day of the sheep industry’s 156th Annual Convention on Jan. 29.
- The executive committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association approved the organization’s top 2021 policy priorities with a continued focus on advocating for a business climate that increases opportunities for producer profitability. For more detailed information about NCBA’s 2021 Policy Priorities, click here.
- The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) concluded its virtual Winter Business Meeting with the election of Jerry Bohn, a cattle producer from Wichita, Kan., as NCBA president.
- New analysis of independent data show that reported new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers are 60% lower than in the general U.S. population and two-thirds lower than case rates in the sector in May 2020. According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network, the meat and poultry sector was reported to have an average of 32.64 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in January 2021, two-thirds lower than the average of 98.39 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in May 2020. Since the Meat Institute and the United Food & Commercial Workers, America’s largest food workers union, jointly urged state governors to follow federal guidance and prioritize frontline meat and poultry workers for COVID-19 vaccination, employers have taken concrete steps to educate workers about vaccination and facilitate access to vaccines. Find more on case rates and health and safety measures, including vaccination, here.
- IPPE Marketplace Week brought the animal food, meat and poultry industries together with more than 1,100 exhibitors providing information on a variety of feed and animal protein technologies and services. The IPPE Marketplace had visitor participation from 131 countries, and there were more than 81,000 Personal Guide page views. There were also more than 27 hours of TECHTalks presentations, 3 hours of Innovation Station/New Product Showcase videos and 34.5 hours of education programs available. This year’s digital event saw the most exhibitor TECHTalks presentations and Innovation Station/New Product Showcase videos ever, with a combined 200-plus submissions.
- The National Institute for Animal Agriculture has announced a rebrand to reflect the organization’s new strategic vision to be the leading resource for the animal agriculture industry and provides value to all stakeholders involved in providing safe and healthy food for the world.
