The 2014 Trade Talk brought me to the American Sheep Industry Association booth during last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual meeting. Executive director for American Sheep, Peter Orwick, recapped the wool and lamb markets and shared some exciting news about the organization. “Very strong prices in 2014. Feeder lambs selling over $2 a pound. The attitude among the … Read More
FSA Programs Assist Producers
Administrator for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Val Dolcini, explained what programs his agency has to assist livestock producers during National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk last week in Kansas City, MO. “The Dairy Margin Protection Program (DMPP) is going to cover the margin between the national price of milk and the cost of feed. And while milk prices … Read More
Milk, Cattle Groups Join Call for Restoration of Tax Breaks
Groups representing dairy and cattle producers have joined dozens of other ag groups calling for the restoration of some tax cuts. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are asking Congress to restore Section 179, a tax code provision that allows small businesses, including farms, to write off capital purchases such as equipment immediately, … Read More
Sales, Innovation & Customer Trust
The team from Midwest Dairy Association was out in full force for National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk. I spoke with Mike Kruger, Midwest Dairy’s CEO, about current market trends, new partnerships formed to promote milk and how they instill consumer confidence into each and every product they produce. “Things have been going very well for dairy farmers in … Read More
Protein Export Numbers
Leann Saunders, Chairman U.S. Meat Export Federation, was on hand during National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk to update us all on current and future export numbers for beef, pork and lamb. “It has been a great year for exports when you look at statistics January through December. We’ve seen unprecedented growth, 5 billion in pork exports, 5 billion … Read More
Importance of Responsible Food Animal Production
National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern yesterday joined the country’s oldest humane animal treatment organization, a top chef and others involved in food production in a discussion about the commitment that farmers are making to proper animal care. Mulhern represented the dairy industry at a Capitol Hill briefing themed “The Humane Table, Celebrating the American Heartland” organized … Read More
NCBA Update from Washington
Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, gave updates on hot issues facing the beef industry at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk. He encourages all producers to step up and stay engaged with the political process. Topics discussed include Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), Water of the U.S. (WOTUS) and the most … Read More
American Butter Institute Hosts Holiday Cookie Contest
The American Butter Institute’s Go Bold With Butter blog is inviting home bakers and cookie enthusiasts to submit original cookie recipes this fall for a chance to win $2,000 in its Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest. Now through Dec. 7, 2014, baking enthusiasts can submit their recipes on the contest entry page. Entrants must submit an original cookie recipe using REAL® … Read More
Pork Producers Name Asst. Director of Science & Technology
The National Pork Producers Council has named a new assistant director of science and technology. This NPPC news release says Dr. Daniel Kovich will focus on food and feed safety and animal handling issues. Kovich comes to NPPC from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where he managed state animal welfare and control programs, including animal control officer … Read More
Dairy Checkoff News on Fluid Milk
Dairy farmers, through their National Dairy Checkoff, have announced seven new partnerships to ignite innovation in the fluid milk category. Fluid milk sales have been declining for decades and farmers are eager to turn that trend around, with new milk beverages, new packaging, and much more. These new partnerships are the beginning of that turn around. “You know we didn’t … Read More