National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) board of directors have voted to continue Cooperatives Working Together, the farmer-funded export assistance program, through 2018 at the current funding level of four cents per hundredweight. NMPF developed and manages the 13-year-old self-help program, known as CWT. CWT’s extension until December 31, 2018, comes at a time of increasing U.S. milk production, declining world … Read More
DFA's Proactive Approach to Undercover Video
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced the completion of a third-party audit of one of its member farms, Cactus-Acre Holsteins. This announcement comes two days after the Cooperative proactively released an undercover video, shot by animal rights extremist group, Mercy For Animals (MFA), depicting animal abuse on the farm owned by Jim and Marie Goedert in Fort Morgan, Colo. The … Read More
Nebraska Trade Mission Focuses on Beef
CNH Industrial welcomed Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts this week at the Expo Milano “Sustainable Farm Pavilion” sponsored by its agricultural machinery brand New Holland Agriculture. Also while the Governor was overseas with members of the trade mission team to the European Union, he met with a beef distributor in Italy. Their discussion was focused on driving the value and demand … Read More
Trade Top Priority for NPPC
Ken Maschhoff, The Maschoffs, Inc. and VP of the National Pork Producers Council, was on hand during the World Pork Expo to talk all things vital to the pork industry. I picked his brain on trade and other policy issues impacting swine production. “The pork industry is exporting 27% of our pork today. Exports are tremendously important. They represent $6.6 … Read More
Both Sides of COOL Lobby Congress
As the U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for meat products, groups on both sides of the issues are last minute lobbying. The COOL Reform Coalition sent a letter to lawmakers this week expressing strong support for HR 2393 as it moves towards a House floor vote this week. Over 100 Coalition … Read More
Paul Sundberg Named Director of SWIC
In November of last year, the National Pork Board (NPB) approved $15 million in funding for a new Swine Health Information Center (SWIC). The venture will focus efforts on implementing preparedness for disease challenges that could affect U.S. swine herds. During the 2015 World Pork Expo, Dr. Paul Sundberg who is currently serving as the vice president and technology for … Read More
NPPC CEO Provides Organization Update
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is continually hard at work ensuring the needs of swine producers across the country are met. During the World Pork Expo, I met with CEO of the NPPC, Neil Dierks, so he could provide us an update on the organization and the issues they support. “We have been dealing with a number of issues. … Read More
Beef Community Remembers Lifelong Cattlemen
Fourth generation cattleman and national beef industry leader, Richard Gebhart from Claremore, Oklahoma, passed away May 30 after an illness at 58 years old. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association shared this release to honor this lifelong cattlemen. With his family Richard operated Beacon Hill Ranch, a Hereford operation established in northeastern Oklahoma in 1909. He was an active volunteer leader … Read More
Swine Production Without Antibiotics
Swine industry issues were all the rage during the recent 2015 World Pork Expo and the hottest of those issues was antibiotics. As host of the event, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), had their staff on hand to help inform producers and consumers. I spoke with Dr. Liz Wagstrom, Chief Veterinarian, NPPC, and she said the topic of antibiotics … Read More
Avian Flu is the Focus of USPOULTRY Clinic
The Hatchery-Breeder Clinic of 2015 will be held July 14-15 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Nashville, TN. U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, sponsors of the the event, have announced that the focus will be on avian influenza preparations for the fall season, along with new innovations and best practices for flock performance. “This year’s program will address several timely topics, … Read More