Animal Ag News 4/1

Carrie Muehling

  • As of March 1, there were 74.6 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 1 percent from March 2023 but down 2 percent from Dec. 1, 2023, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is announcing the return of the World Pork Expo on June 5th and 6th, 2024, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Though pork producers have faced their share of challenges, the annual Expo showcases the best the industry offers in the form of unmatched educational and networking opportunities. The world’s largest pork-specific trade show returns with more than 700 booths showcasing the latest pork production technology and services.
  • Many agricultural producers, including Alltech customers, have been devastated by the recent wildfires across Texas and Oklahoma. The destruction has been staggering: The most recent assessments estimate that more than 1.2 million acres have been burned, 600 structures have been destroyed and tens of thousands of animals have been lost — and with the fires only 15 percent contained at the time of writing, the total loss won’t be known for quite some time. To help those impacted by this disaster, Alltech created the Texas Fire Relief Fund through the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation. Any donations will help farmers buy feed and supplies and begin the process of rebuilding. Or, go to https://www.pearselyonsace.org/ and choose “Texas Fire Relief Fund” from the drop-down menu.
  • The 2024 Stockmanship & Stewardship Tour is getting ready to hit the road. Dates include: August 23-24 – Richfield, UT; August 28-29 – Lancaster, WI; October 18-19 – Fresno, CA; and October 25-26 – Hamburg, NY. Registration opens April 15.
  • A coalition of meat and poultry industry groups said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA or the Agency) proposed wastewater guidelines will cost hundreds of millions more than Agency estimates, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs and close many processing facilities, resulting in hardship for livestock and poultry producers. The Meat and Poultry Products Industry Coalition (MPP or the Coalition) made the remarks in comments submitted in response to the EPA’s proposed rule revising the ELGs for wastewater discharged by meat and poultry processing and rendering facilities. Last amended in 2004, the meat and poultry ELGs currently apply to about 180 of the estimated 5,300 meat and poultry facilities nationwide. EPA estimates between 845 and 1,620 facilities would be subject to and incur costs should the proposed ELGs become final. The full comments are here.
  • Registration is now open with early savings available for the 2024 Chicken Marketing Summit. The annual executive conference, hosted by WATT Global Media, is scheduled for July 29-31 at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa.
  • Camryn Wilder, Texas A&M University, was awarded the Frank Perdue Scholarship Student of the Year during the USPOULTRY Foundation’s College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The scholarship is named in Frank Perdue’s honor, for his dedication to aspiring young people studying for careers in the poultry industry. Abigail Flores, Texas A&M University, and Zachery Keeter, North Carolina State University, were recognized in second and third place.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation, the largest U.S. dairy-farmer organization and the industry’s premier policy voice in Washington, submitted its final, formal legal “brief” on their behalf for Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization to USDA. The NMPF brief, which was submitted March 29 and hand-delivered to USDA today, emphasized that those farmers are the reason the system exists — and that, by law, their priorities are pre-eminent in USDA consideration of a final plan.
  • Enrollment has begun in the Farmers for Sustainable Food Climate-Smart Program, which uses data to inform how farming practices can potentially generate added value for the food the farms produce. Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Farmers for Sustainable Food held a Climate-Smart informational webinar earlier this month. The webinar offered insight into the group’s multi-year USDA’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities Program, including the different levels of farmer involvement. FSF’s Managing Director Lauren Brey shared program details and answered attendee questions, explaining how farmers can help connect the supply chain by sharing data with downstream partners.
  • Merck Animal Health announced it has received license approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for SEQUIVITY with Microsol Diluvac Forte (MDF) adjuvant prescription vaccine for use in gilts and sows.
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