A group of food, ag and manufacturing representatives are calling on Congress to take action on the issue of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law. The COOL Reform Coalition sent a letter to Congress, asking for immediate action to put together a contingency plan for the COOL law, which the group says, as it stands now, could cause … Read More
NMPF Comments on Immigration Policy
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) just released a statement on the White House Executive Action on immigration policy. NMPF President and CEO, Jim Mulhern said: “The executive action announced by the White House this week will not solve the current or future needs of dairy farmers. We still need congressional action, in the form of comprehensive legislative reform of … 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
Canadian Company Expands Cheesemaking in Wisconsin
A Canada-based company will expand its cheesemaking operation in Wisconsin. This Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) news release says Agropur Inc. will invest more than $55 million in its Weyauwega, Wisconsin, facility to increase its Feta cheese production capacity, expected to be completed in 2016. “There is a lot of tradition, skill, and work ethic among our employees, and we … Read More
COOL Reform Coalition Asks Congress to Repeal Rule
The Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Reform Coalition is asking Congress to repeal the existing U.S. Mandatory COOL rule for muscle cuts of meat. In a letter sent by the group’s 109 stakeholders, the signers say they are gravely concerned about the negative impact the rule will have on the U.S. economy. On October 20, 2014, a World Trade Organization … Read More
Dairy Group wants Japan's Import System Replaced
A group representing American dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers says that Japan’s import system is a “potential Achilles heel” in trade negotiations. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack calling for the replacement of Japan’s current import administration program in the Trans-Pacific Partnership … Read More
‘State of the African Farmer’ Report Tells Complete Story
A group whose mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth wants people to get the complete story about African farmers. Heifer International issued its State of the African Farmer report to add to the debate on agriculture and food security in Africa. Elizabeth Bintliff, vice president of Heifer’s Africa Program, is an African born in … Read More
Rapid Intensification of Brazilian Beef Production to Continue
In response to rising global beef demand, Brazil is set to step up the rapid intensification of its beef production sector over the next ten years, enabling the industry to expand into higher-value export markets. According to its latest report “Beefing up in Brazil: Feedlots to Drive Industry Growth,” the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research (FAR) and Advisory group expects … Read More
Five Nations Beef Alliance Statement on TPP
The Five Nations Beef Alliance* concluded a successful meeting and tour in south Texas last week, capped by the unanimous endorsement of a public statement calling for all Trans-Pacific Partnership nations to support ‘gold standard outcomes’ for beef that do not sacrifice important reforms for political expediency. The annual meeting, hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, unites beef industry … Read More
Alltech Opens IFM Laboratory in China
Global animal health leader Alltech is partnering with Nestlé in the creation of a world class training center, the Dairy Farming Institute in Shuangcheng, Heilongjiang province, China. Along with its participation in numerous educational initiatives and assistance in establishing best practices in Chinese agribusiness, Alltech is bringing its highly successful feed evaluation laboratory to the world’s fastest growing dairy market. … Read More