The American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association (ALMDA) has formally requested that USDA-APHIS delay the implementation or enforcement of the final rule on Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison (ADT Rule), scheduled to become effective today, November 5. In a letter to USDA-APHIS, ALMDA requested that the implementation or enforcement of the ADT Rule …
USDA Awards More Processing Plant Grants
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity, the final installment in the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) launched in 2022. Over $325 million total investment in 74 independent meat and poultry processing projects have been awarded. Joining Sec. Vilsack in making …
World Without Cows?
Can you image a world without cows? I can’t. But I’m sure there are some people who may think differently. To get some facts and answers to the question, a feature-length documentary is in final stages and made possible by Planet of Plenty – World Without Cows. Here’s some information about the production. World Without Cows is an incredible journey …
Rest in Peace Greg Henderson
It was a very shocking and sudden notice of the passing last week of Greg Henderson, Editorial Director, Drovers at Farm Journal Media, at the age of 67. Greg attended the Ag Media Summit where I saw him last and spent some time chatting with him and taking his picture on the stage. Post Update – From a news release …
Rabobank BBQ Index is Hotter Than Ever
At a cost of $99, the latest Rabobank BBQ Index is hotter than ever this year and consumers are feeling the heat. The 2024 Rabobank BBQ Index, which measures the cost of staple ingredients for a 10-person barbecue, shows that it will cost $99 to host a cookout on the Fourth of July this year, up from $97 last year …
Bid on Beef Auction Platform Launched
A new kind of auction platform for beef sales was launched this month. On June 1, CK6 Consulting and Texas Beefhouse launched Bid on Beef, the vision of Chris Earl, owner of Reverse Rocking R Ranch and CK6 Consulting in New Mexico. Working with beef cattle producers across the nation, CK6 Consulting has conducted $150 million in sales through price …
Central Stockyards Prepares for Canadian Expansion
Central Stockyards, LLC, a livestock marketing service that hosts the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange, has expanded its team and is preparing for the addition of Canadian feedyard and packer participation in its weekly sales. Brent Difley has been named Business Development Director for Canada. In this role, he will be responsible for working with Canadian feedyards and packers to market …
NCBA Concerned About Loss of USDA Report
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced this week that it is canceling the July Cattle report as well as all County Estimates for Crops and Livestock beginning with the 2024 production year. “The decision to discontinue these surveys and reports was not made lightly, but was necessary, given appropriated budget levels,” NASS said in its official statement. The National …
Alltech Releases 2024 Agri-Food Outlook
Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tons (BMT), a slight decrease from 2022, according to the Alltech 2024 Agri-Food Outlook annual survey, now in its 13th year, which includes data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills. The overall lower demand for feed was due, in part, to the more efficient use …
EmGenisys Announces EmVision™ Enrollment for Cattle
EmGenisys, Inc., an animal health company improving success rates of embryo transfer (ET) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) for cattle producers, announces open enrollment for EmVision™. EmVision™ analyzes the viability and health of embryos at the microscope, giving producers and embryologists objective data to make strategic decisions on transferring embryos. The software will identify the 5-20% of embryos that are …