The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has updated its Margin Protection Program (MPP) website with new materials to assist dairy producers considering enrollment in the third year of the federal dairy safety net program. The enrollment period officially opened July 1 and ends September 30, 2016, for coverage in calendar year 2017, and farmers already participating in the program can … Read More
Commodity Carnival Travels to 150 State & County Fairs
CME Group and National 4-H Council are partnering for a fourth consecutive year to bring Commodity Carnival to 150 state and county fairs during 2016. The exhibit teaches fair-goingers the fundamentals of risk management in agriculture, by way of bringing a hog to market. The game will also continue to be accessible beyond the fairgrounds this year via the mobile … Read More
NPPC Focuses on GIPSA, Trade at #WPX16
A major talking point at the 2016 World Pork Expo was the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Act, which has been a concern of producers since the 2008 Farm Bill included new guidelines that threatened the financial security of the livestock industry. Jim Heimerl, Vice President of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), sat down with AgWired for … Read More
U.S. Meat/Poultry Equal $1.02 Trillion in Total Economic Output
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) conducted a new economic impact analysis, along with John Dunham & Associates, identifying the U.S. meat and poultry industries account for $1.02 trillion in total economic output or 5.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The meat and poultry industry is responsible for 5.4 million jobs and $257 billion in wages, the report found. … Read More
USMEF Reports on Currency Situation
As the strength of the U.S. dollar continues to weigh on agricultural exports, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) focused on the impact of the U.S. dollar strength during a panel discussion at last week’s USMEF Board of Directors Meeting in St. Louis. Michael Drury, chief economist for McVean Trading, provided a brief history on how the currencies of so … Read More
This Month's Dairy Market Report
This month’s Dairy Market Report from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) shows that increased production per cow and expectations for additional milk production growth has dampened the outlook for milk prices for the remainder of 2016. The report also finds that rising inventories have placed pressure on pot market prices for Cheddar cheese. The pressure will soon be reflected … Read More
NCBA President Testifies on the Farm Economy
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Tracy Brunner testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. He stressed to the subcommittee that over-regulation poses the greatest threat to the profitability of cattle producers. “Today we ask for no direct action from our government in our cattle marketing systems and forums,” said Brunner. “The cattle industry relies on the … Read More
Report Shows Economic Benefit of TPP
Many of the nation’s livestock and animal production groups have stated their support for the U.S. International Trade Commission’s recently released report on the potential benefit that is offered to the U.S. economy by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The findings of the report align with many of these groups’ previous statements suggesting that the free trade agreement will work to … Read More
Announcing the Launch of Kynetec
Following the completion of the management buyout of the Animal and Crop Health division of GfK, last week marked the formal launch of market research company Kynetec. Kinetic is the global leader in market research for animal health and agriculture, and is backed by Inflexion, who partners with high-growth businesses to accelerate their growth. The company is has a respected … Read More
NMPF April Dairy Market Report
This month’s Dairy Market Report from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) shows that developments made during the first part of April brought slight improvements in the outlook for milk prices, but also highlighted several indications that milk production will be coming off its near flat growth pattern of the past several months, which may cast a shadow over the … Read More