The threat of African swine fever is forcing the cancellation of the world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show this year. The National Pork Producers Council‘s board of directors today announced its decision to cancel World Pork Expo 2019 out of an abundance of caution as African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread in China and other parts of Asia. World …
Animal Ag Bites 4/8
Ralco announced the promotion of Dr. Russell Fent to Director of Swine Technical Group. Merck has announced the completion of its acquisition of Antelliq Corporation, positioning the company as a global leader in animal health digital tracking, traceability and monitoring technology and complements the existing portfolio of vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Antelliq will be an operating unit within Merck Animal Health. …
Study Finds Lamb Checkoff Has Positive ROI
U.S. lamb producers have received a positive return on investment from the American Lamb Checkoff Program since it started in 2002, according to a new Texas A&M University report. The study prepared by agricultural economists Gary Williams, Ph.D., and Dan Hanselka concluded that the American Lamb Checkoff Program added 2.4% to 2.7% of the annual value of retail lamb. The …
Animal Ag Bites 4/1
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council officially broke ground on an expansion to USPOULTRY’s existing offices in Tucker, Georgia. The expansion will create an additional 12,000 square feet of space owned by “The Coop Group, LLC” a partnership of USPOULTRY and USAPEEC. The American Feed Industry Association released the results of its annual …
Nation Seeing #NebraskaStrong
The images of dead and dying cattle and calves as a result of the blizzard and flooding in Nebraska are hard for people in the livestock industry to see. As USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach said last week at the Agri-Pulse Policy Summit, “It’s almost like losing family.” Ibach is former Nebraska Director of Agriculture who says he is, “first …
Text 24365 to Donate to NAMA Foundation
With the NAMA (National Agri-Marketing Association) Foundation serving 33 student chapters, your support has never been more important. Here is a new way to donate. Please text “NAMA” to 24365 to donate to the foundation and support Student NAMA! That will text you back a link to click on and donate via Paypal. Simple. Quick. Try it now.
Animal Ag Bites 3/25
Last week, USDA-trained detector dogs played a major role in the seizure of roughly 1 million pounds of pork smuggled from China where there is an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). Since prevention is the best protection against the disease, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is sharing information about the importance of keeping ASF out of the United …
ZimmCast 611 – National Ag Day
This week’s program focuses on National Ag Day activities in our nation’s Capitol. In the program you’ll hear from Senator Pat Roberts who made remarks during the Celebration of American Agriculture reception. I also interviewed Isabella Chism, American Farm Bureau Federation, who is the Chair for National Ag Day. Next up is USDA Deputy Secretary, Steve Censky, who spoke prior …
Another Successful Agri-Pulse Summit
The 2019 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit was another success for the best farm policy news team in the free world. The event at the National Press Club featured an all-star line up that started with USDA Chief Economist Rob Johannson, and ended with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, with Under Secretary …
Animal Ag Bites 3/18
The National Pork Board named Norman Bessac as its new Vice President of International Marketing. Bessac is currently director of international sales for Tyson Fresh Meats, a position he has held since 2016. National Beef Packing Company, LLC announced that it has approved a transaction that will result in it owning 100% of the ownership interests in Iowa Premium, LLC. …