March was the best sales month in history for Certified Angus Beef, with 116.8 million pounds sold. It was also a standout month for quality, with 86 percent of fed cattle carcasses grading Choice or Prime, the highest annual mark once again. USDA Prime has outpaced Select for nine weeks in a row, thanks in part to heavier carcass weights and longer feeding periods.
The Public Lands Council (PLC) announced the appointment of public lands ranchers to new leadership positions in PLC policy committees. These individuals will guide conversations that develop grassroots policies aimed at strengthening federal lands management and multiple use policy that recognizes the important role livestock grazing continues to play in Western communities.
While global pork consumption has edged upward, U.S. per capita consumption has been flat for more than 50 years at 50 lbs. on average, according to the USDA. That trails annual beef and chicken consumption, which exceeds 60 lbs. and 100 lbs., respectively. The pork industry is aiming to gain ground with a new consumer marketing program, “Taste What Pork Can Do.” Focusing on flavor and featuring a wide variety of recipes and convenient cooking techniques, the campaign encourages U.S. consumers to reimagine the possibilities of pork for at-home meals. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the campaign represents the beginning of what could be a “new pork” on U.S. consumers’ plates.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release these emergency payments by May 30, and she is delivering on that commitment ahead of schedule.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanked Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the agency would quickly be sending Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cattle producers who suffered losses from drought and wildfire.
Becky Rasdall Vargas, Senior Vice President of Trade and Workforce Policy with the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released a statement recognizing a new streamlined approval process for U.S. dairy exports to Costa Rica.
Industry professionals worldwide are gearing up for World Pork Expo 2025! This preeminent event returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 4-5, and is hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The Expo promises two full days packed with cutting-edge insights, industry innovation, and countless networking opportunities.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is deeply concerned with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s take on the causes of wide-ranging health concerns in American children, largely blaming modern food and agriculture with little regard for the rigorous regulatory systems in place that have allowed the U.S. to be a world leader in safe, affordable and wholesome food. Like human food manufacturing facilities, all feed and pet food manufacturing facilities must abide by stringent regulations in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which requires facilities, among other things, to: identify hazards that could result in foodborne pathogens and put risk-based preventive controls in place; comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements; develop and implement animal food safety plans; work with domestic and foreign suppliers to reduce hazards; and be subject to regular inspections.
