The USDA’s announcement Tuesday that it would dismantle an Obama-era rule protecting farmers who raise poultry, cattle and hogs under contract to large meat companies is putting companies, and the farmers who grow for them, at odds. The USDA said it was withdrawing the proposal, which was set to take effect today, over “serious legal… read more
Tag Archives: meat
#BEEF IS BACK ON THE GRILL
As backyard grills fire up this summer, one thing is clear: most Americans no longer have a beef with beef. Thanks to lower prices, more disposable income and a guarded thumbs-up from the wellness community, the once-maligned meat is now seen as an ingredient in a well-balanced and even trendy diet. (USA Today)
RANCHERS SUE USDA
A group of U.S. ranchers Monday filed a suit against the USDA, seeking to force meat from other countries to again be labeled as such. The lawsuit seeks to overturn a March 2016 decision by the USDA to revoke regulations requiring imported meat products to be labeled with their country of origin. That change allowed… read more
DON’T COUNT YOUR #CHICKENS…
The U.S. poultry industry is trying to figure out why, over the first five months of the year, the percentage of eggs hatching broiler chickens fell to its lowest level in more than a decade. Officials believe the numbers could be falling off due to new varieties of fast-growing chickens which are overheating or an… read more
#CHINA DEAL GOOD FOR #BEEF EXPORTS; VOLATILITY REMAINS
The U.S. and China finalized protocol to allow American beef into China for the first time since 2003. Shipments will resume by July 16 at the latest. Meanwhile, beef supplies are short in advance of Independence Day, and production margins have swung to profitable levels. But extreme volatility in the cattle market still concerns the… read more
McLean County Farm Bureau ‘Meats’ Local Needs
McLean County farmers helped raise $1,130 to purchase meat for Midwest Food Bank with a donation drive at Hy-Vee March 10-26. The drive generated $630 in donations from community members and McLean County Farm Bureau contributed a $500 match. Midwest Food Bank supplies food to 70 agencies in McLean County, but currently has only enough… read more
CHICKEN CONSUMPTION UP
USDA’s Economic Research Service says 57.7 pounds of chicken per person on a boneless, edible basis were available for Americans to eat in 2013, compared to 53.6 pounds of beef and 43.4 pounds of pork.
END OF MEAT?
Patrick Brown is on an improbable mission: Make a burger Americans love, minus the meat. The startup company is using plant material for compounds that can help recreate meat, as reported by the Associated Press.
MEAT LABELS
The fate of the country-of-origin labeling law for meat is hanging on a massive spending bill that could be released on Monday, and the food industry has been clinging to hopes that a measure preempting state GMO labeling laws also could be included.
EXPORT TAXES DROPPED
The new Argentine president today eliminated export taxes for grains, and lowered the rate on soybeans. In the case of soybeans the rate will fall from 35% today to 30%, while for corn (20%), wheat (23%) and meat (9%) will be eliminated entirely.