There are four principles that will ensure all people have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. That was the message from Cargill Executive Chairman Greg Page speaking before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Global Food Security Symposium. His “ought to’s” include: – Appreciating the importance of price – Honoring the principle of comparative advantage – Embracing the power … Read More
NFU Cites Study That Refutes Canadian COOL Arguments
The National Farmers Union has shared a new study that refutes claims that Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is hurting the Canadian cattle industry. According to the study, authored by Auburn University Alfa Eminent Scholar and Professor C. Robert Taylor, it was “economic downturn” and other factors, not Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), that caused recent decreased demand for cattle imports into … Read More
Canada Cattlemen Comment on COOL
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) attended the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention in mid-January as part of its ongoing lobbying efforts related to U.S. mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). The CCA is making sure that U.S. farmers, ranchers and legislators understand that Canada is serious about imposing tariffs on a wide variety of U.S. agriculture and processed … Read More
Reaction to Chinese Ban on U.S. Poultry Imports
China this week banned imports of U.S. poultry and eggs following the detection of avian flu in wild birds in the Pacific Northwest. “That’s overkill,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman in reaction. “It’s beyond the pale and we think they should be held to task and I’m hoping our government can convince China that they have over … Read More
Dairy Groups Share Support of US Ag Coalition for Cuba
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) joined other food and agricultural organizations in support of additional changes in U.S. policy to facilitate U.S. dairy exports to Cuba and permit open travel for all Americans to that nation. The dairy organizations are members of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, … Read More
NFU Calls for Ban on Imports from FMD Areas
The National Farmers Union wants the U.S. to stop importing meat from areas with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This news release says the group has submitted comments to the federal government asking that it not allow meat to come in from Northern Argentina and Uruguay because of ongoing concerns with FMD. “Livestock health is critical to production agriculture and … Read More
Global Beef Supplies Tight, But Prices Taper
Beef supplies remain tight, but prices have actually tapered a bit. Agribusiness financial company Rabobank has issued a new report on the global beef industry and says that that despite tight global cattle and beef supplies, prices tempered from their third quarter. Rabobank says that a big question heading into 2015 with such a finely balanced market is: if Australian … Read More
Papal Farm May Open to Public
There are reports out this week that Pope Francis will be opening up the papal farm at Castel Gandolfo to the public for tours next year, although there is no official word from the Vatican on its website or on the Catholic News Service. The original story came from the Associated Press. It is true that the pope does have … Read More
Rabobank: Avian Flu Set to Shake Up Poultry in 2015
A new report from Dutch bank Rabobank says avian flu and trade restrictions are set to have some major impacts on the poultry industry worldwide. This company news release says regions affected by avian flu outbreaks, such as Europe and Canada, will suffer from lost export markets, affecting local prices. But non-affected areas, such as the U.S. and Brazil could … Read More
LEA to Host Livestock Exporting 4.0
The Livestock Exporters Association (LEA) will hold the fourth annual Livestock Exporting 4.0 seminar on Monday, February 16, at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St. Louis, Missouri, in conjunction with the United States Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE) annual meeting. This seminar is designed for experienced exporters, LEA members and industry affiliates interested in marketing livestock abroad. “The exporting business … Read More