- The U.S. District Court in South Carolina dismissed a challenge to the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) and granted a remand without vacatur, ensuring the rule remains in effect until the Biden Administration finalizes a new rule. NCBA, along with other agricultural groups, are engaged in litigation across the country to defend the NWPR and are pleased with this key legal victory.
- Germany’s federal agriculture ministry confirmed the first cases of African swine fever (ASF) on farms. The disease was confirmed on two farms in the eastern German state of Brandenburg, which borders Poland. The farms include an organic farm with 200 pigs and a small farm with just two pigs. All pigs have been euthanized. Previous ASF cases in Germany had only been found in wild boars.
- The annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show brings producers and their families from across the country together for education, entertainment and excitement. This year’s event, Aug. 10-12, in Nashville, Tenn., also provides an opportunity for the industry’s youth to gather, learn and share ideas. To encourage young producers to participate, Culver’s is sponsoring FFA Day at the NCBA Trade Show on Thursday, Aug. 12. The first 250 FFA members to register will receive complimentary NCBA Trade Show admission, courtesy of Culver’s. A significantly discounted trade show registration rate of $30 per person is available to FFA members when the free tickets are depleted.
- The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) noted the introduction of misguided legislation entitled the Farm System Reform Act by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA). NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane gave the following response.
- As countries roll back COVID-19 restrictions, foreign market demand for beef is becoming a bright spot for U.S. producers. With record U.S. beef production forecast this year, U.S. beef exports are forecast to strengthen their position in the global marketplace. Meanwhile, lower production in Australia and tighter exportable supplies from Argentina are expected to limit the global availability of beef. For 2021, U.S. beef exports are forecast to reach a record 1.5 million metric tons (mt) carcass weight equivalent (cwe), up 16 percent compared to last year and 8 percent above the 2018 high.
- The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs has released its draft US-RSPE Sustainability Framework for chicken, turkey and egg supply chains for public comment. The first public comment period for the US-RSPE Sustainability Framework runs for 45 days, from July 16—August 31, 2021. US-RSPE will make revisions and open a second public comment period for 30 days in the fall, from September 23—October 22, 2021, before public launch in early 2022. Submission instructions and reference documents are available at us-rspe.org/framework.
- Dr. Joseph Scimeca, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), issued a statement on IDFA’s formal objection to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration final rule to amend and modernize the standard of identity for yogurt.
- The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) board of directors re-elects Jeff Strassburg as Board Chair at its annual reorganization meeting. Strassburg is a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Wittenberg representing District 9 (Menomonee, Shawano and Waupaca counties). He, along with the newly elected Executive Committee, will lead the organization through the next fiscal year, which began July 1 and will conclude June 30, 2022.
- Noble Research Institute recently hired Joseph Pokay IV as general ranch manager. Pokay brings more than 13 years of full-time production agriculture experience to Noble, specializing in regenerative ranching practices.
