- As of March 1, there were 72.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from March 2022 but down 2% from Dec. 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Of the 72.9 million hogs and pigs, 66.7 million were market hogs, while 6.13 million were kept for breeding. Iowa hog producers accounted for the largest inventory among the states, at 23.4 million head. Minnesota had the second largest inventory at 8.90 million head. North Carolina was third with 8.00 million head.
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson commended the U.S. Senate for passing a resolution to stop the Biden administration’s latest Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. “Together, we wrote more than 1,900 letters to senators calling for a vote on this resolution. Our advocacy made a crucial impact.”
- The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports legislation introduced by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to repeal the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the Death Tax.
- Vytelle, a precision livestock company, has raised $20MM in Series B funding to accelerate genetic progress in cattle. With this new investment, Vytelle will continue to expand its global operations, while delivering the most accessible, reliable, and predictable reproductive technology available to customers today.
- R-CALF USA and a coalition of groups representing farmers, the food system, the environment, animal welfare, and antimonopoly advocacy called on Congress to restore accountability and transparency to commodity checkoff programs by supporting inclusion of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act (S.557 and H.R.1249) in the 2023 Farm Bill.
- U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is accepting applications for the 2023 Clean Water Awards. The awards recognize outstanding performance of wastewater treatment plants that operate at poultry and egg processing facilities. The deadline for submitting applications is June 23. Winners will be announced at USPOULTRY’s Environmental Management Seminar to be held Sept. 28 – 29, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida.
