U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments that will strengthen American food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create more, new and better markets for producers, and lower food costs. Thanks to funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, USDA is investing nearly $110 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) and the Local Meat Capacity (Local MCap) Grant Program.
U.S. consumers are drinking less milk with each passing year, but overall dairy sales are on a multiyear winning streak. Cheese, butter and yogurt are fueling category growth, along with new dairy-based products designed to capitalize on convenience, health and snacking trends. Data from market research firm Circana shows the refrigerated dairy aisle has been the largest category in retail grocery over the last year with $76 billion in sales. Over the last three years, dairy retail sales have notched a growth rate of 15.4% or $10.1 billion. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the outlook for retail dairy sales remains strong with additional room for growth as consumer preferences and purchasing behaviors evolve. Cheese and butter have even more upside potential, and dairy products tailored to meet consumers’ growing desires for healthy, protein-rich snack products have emerged as a new growth opportunity.
Americans have been enjoying ice cream since the founding of the United States, and for the first time ever, Butter Pecan and Cookie Dough have cracked top five favorite flavors. In celebration of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 21, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) shared what American consumers are saying about their favorite ice cream and frozen novelty treats. According to a recent IDFA and Morning Consult survey, 97% of Americans love or like ice cream. While traditional ice cream flavors still dominate IDFA’s list, newer flavors like Butter Pecan and Cookie Dough are shaking up the top five. Vanilla also topped Chocolate for America’s favorite flavor.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and Ever.Ag are excited to announce that registration for the third annual DairyTech conference is open. DairyTech 2024 will showcase the pioneers and pioneering applications bringing transformative potential of artificial intelligence to the dairy industry, from processing plant functions to supply chain management, demand forecasting, sustainability optimization, and corporate practices. The event will connect dairy professionals with leading experts on AI use in the food and beverage sector.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is looking for the next singing sensation to open CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, February 4-6. The 12th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook, is accepting entries through October 15 at convention.ncba.org.
Leaders of national organizations representing those who utilize our nation’s public lands have joined together to file a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new public lands rule. Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the BLM is responsible for balancing the multiple use of public lands for productive purposes like grazing, mining, energy development, and timber. Unfortunately, the BLM’s “Conservation and Landscape Health Rule” upends the shared multiple use of public lands and endangers food and energy security.
Zoetis announced that Synovex Primer is now available for cattle producers who need to increase weight gain in growing beef steers or heifers in the dry lot production phase. The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) approved Synovex Primer earlier this year, along with an updated label indication for Synovex Choice in the dry lot.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has opened registration for its annual Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC), to be held Nov. 6-8 in Bonita Springs, Fla. This year’s theme is “Feed Industry 4.0 – Leveraging Emerging Technologies.”
Moly Manufacturing, LLC., in partnership with Jorgensen Land & Cattle, hosted the inaugural Beef & Greet Celebration. Industry leaders from across the country gathered in Ideal, South Dakota to attend the premier event celebrating US Beef.
The 2024 USPOULTRY Financial Management Seminar provided attendees with valuable information that is shaping today’s business landscape. The program offered insights ranging from cybersecurity legal ramifications to economic forecasts and leadership principles.
