- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA) to provide technical assistance to meat and poultry grant applicants and grant-funded projects. Processors and applicants involved with the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program and the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) can access this technical assistance. USDA also announced it is now accepting applications for $23.6 million in competitive grant funding available through the MPIRG program.
- Taco Bell restaurants nationwide have rolled out a dairy-based coffee creamer and a new coffee drink with support from dairy checkoff food scientists. The vanilla creamer replaces a non-dairy product and will become a permanent offering at more than 7,500 Taco Bell locations in the United States. The shelf-stable creamer also was used in the checkoff-created Pineapple Whip Freeze and Island Berry Freeze beverages that previously appeared on Taco Bell’s menu.
- Recognizing that auctions are arguably the most profitable way today for farmers and ranchers to sell land, Superior Land Network is changing its name to Superior Land Auction. While auction services have always been part of its business, the move signals the company increased focus on providing auctions nationwide that help agricultural landowners have the best seller experience and achieve the highest sale price.
- CattleFax elected a new slate of officers at this year’s annual business meeting on Feb. 2, which was held in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston. The new president is Pono Von Holt of Kamuela, Hawaii.
- Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) has recognized 51 of its U.S. locations with Environmental Recognition Awards and 33 of its U.S. facilities with Worker Safety Awards.
- The American Feed Industry Association has opened registration for its popular biennial Feed Industry Institute (FII), which will be offered in a self-paced, virtual learning environment over a span of a few weeks this summer. The conference, which kicks off June 6 and culminates on Aug. 1, brings together industry newcomers to learn the fundamentals of the animal food manufacturing process – from the types of ingredients used to the animals served to federal policies that shape the output of the industry.
- A new partnership between USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) was awarded a $1 million grant to advance adoption of soil conservation practices on farms. Pork producers can measure their cover crop adoption by using On-Farm Sustainability Reports, which are available at no additional cost to them to help document and improve their on-farm sustainability efforts.
- The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association annual conference & trade show is scheduled for April 12-14, 2022, in Bloomington, MN. Attend either in-person or virtually.
- The Dairy Business Association (DBA) and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative have hired Jeremy Henkels to serve as managing director, a new role for the advocacy organizations.
- Commodity Blenders, LLC welcomes Mike Wright as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer.
