U.S. consumers are facing a prolonged period of higher egg prices that will likely extend through the Easter holiday and well into 2025. Rising egg prices and increased volatility in the market are largely attributable to supply challenges brought on by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Since the current outbreak began impacting U.S. poultry farms in 2022, nearly 100 million table egg laying hens have been affected. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the increase in overall demand for eggs, combined with the growing preference for specialty eggs, is exacerbating the impact of tight supplies precipitated by HPAI.
The Meat Institute announced the expansion of its legislative affairs and marketing teams with the addition of two new employees. Chris Chaffee joins the Meat Institute as Director of Legislative Affairs working with Vice President of Legislative Affairs Nathan Fretz advocating for the meat and poultry industry with members of congress and federal officials. Chaffee will also help manage the Meat Institute’s Political Action Committee, MeatPAC.
Producers, students and advocates were recognized as the “Best of Beef” through a variety of scholarship and award programs during CattleCon 2025, held Feb. 4-6 in San Antonio.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced the winners of the 2025 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, sponsored by Cargill, Sam’s Club and Certified Angus Beef. The BQA Awards annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of day-to-day activities.
Ten students pursuing careers in the beef industry were awarded $1,500 scholarships by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and recognized during CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio. The CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program recognizes talented and thoughtful students emerging as industry leaders.
The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, shared expert market and weather analysis. The U.S. beef industry is poised for another year of strong market performance, driven by tight cattle supplies and robust consumer demand. As the beef cowherd enters a stabilization phase following years of contraction, the resulting supply constraints have shifted market leverage decisively in favor of cattle producers.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized seven of the nation’s top cattle operations during CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio as Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) Regional winners for their conservation efforts.
Rob Shuey can’t help but walk through the meat department of every grocery store he enters. After working 41 years for IBP, Inc. (Iowa Beef Processors), and Tyson Foods, Inc. (Tyson bought IBP in 2001), his work knowledge and personal interests have converged. Retired now, Shuey recently added another item to his resume when he accepted the industry representative appointment on the Certified Angus Beef Board.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) president and chief executive officer Dennis Rodenbaugh was elected chair of the board of directors at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy during the checkoff-founded organization’s first meeting of 2025. Rodenbaugh takes on the role from Leprino’s Mike Durkin, who served as the Innovation Center’s board chair since 2023. Rodenbaugh previously served as vice chairman of the Innovation Center’s board.
The U.S. dairy industry is poised to establish a new “golden age” of U.S. dairy trade, with exports reaching $8.2 billion in 2024—the second-highest total export value ever and a $223 million year-over-year increase, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mexico and Canada—U.S. dairy’s top two global trading partners representing more than 40 percent of U.S. dairy exports—each imported record values of dairy at $2.47 billion and $1.14 billion respectively. Central American markets also surged, with Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador all importing record values of U.S. dairy. U.S. dairy exports to China declined in 2024, marking the lowest year since 2020.
There’s a new president and a new Congress in Washington and a new set of concerns for farmers. Immigration and tariffs are the two top concerns facing the ag industry in the coming year, according to Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmers Cooperators, during a keynote discussion at Dairy Strong. This year’s Dairy Strong conference brought over 400 attendees, representing over 150,000 cows, and industry professionals to Green Bay for the annual conference.
National Farmers Union (NFU) announced support of the American Beef Labeling Act (ABLA), introduced by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). This legislation codifies mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef sold in the U.S., distinguishing American-produced products in grocery stores. We urge additional cosponsors to endorse the bill and support its swift passage.
