AgNet Online

From cattle, to hogs, to broilers the numbers have been updated as far as projections for 2008 stand with livestock prices. Report  (1:00 mp3)

Many hog producers are seeing tough times right now due to a variety of reasons and because of this, USDA has been requested to help with some pork purchases. Report (:30 mp3)

January and February were two good months for U.S. Pork Exports. Report (:45 mp3)

The 2008 Pork Management Conference is coming up May 7th-9th in Destin. Florida.  Report (:30 mp3)

A business plan has been released by USDA in their effort to get animal ID underway across the nation.  Report (1:30 mp3)

The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging USDA to help support the pork industry by making some purchases.  Report (1:00 mp3)

While hog inventories as of March 1st were higher than last year at this time, there are indications that producers are starting to cut back some.  Report (:45 mp3)

USDA Under Secretary Bruce Knight updates where things stand with Country of Origin Labeling and what producers need to be thinking about to get ready for it.   Report (1:15 mp3) 

According to figure’s put out by USDA, those in the livestock industry may be looking at lower total income in 2008. Report (1:00 mp3)

According to numbers released this week, another new record has been set last year for U.S. pork exports.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Premise registration is the first step in the overall animal identification process, and while more needs to be done, USDA Under Secretary Bruce Knight says progress is being made in that area.  Report (1:00 mp3)

To learn more about Animal ID click Here

U.S. pork production numbers are expected to rise this year due to more hogs coming in from Canada.  Report (:30 mp3)

HAVE YOU RETURNED YOUR CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE YET?

The Food & Drug Administration has approved the sale of meat and milk from cloned animals, but USDA Under Secretary Bruce Knight says it may be quite a while before we actually see these products in grocery stores.  Report (1:00 mp3)

FEBRUARY 4TH IS THE DEADLINE - HAVE YOU RETURNED YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE YET?

The debate over cloned livestock is back in the news again as some worry that FDA may approve the sale of meat and milk from those animals.  Report (1:00 mp3)

As a producer you should of received your Ag Census form in the mail, and you are urged to complete it and return it by the deadline.  Tyron Spearman tells us today just how important this census is.  Report (:45 mp3)

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Some wonder what hog and poultry prices will be like in 2008, so one economist looks at the numbers for both commodities.  Report (1:00 mp3)

The number of premise registrations across the U.S. continues to rise as Congress is looking to possibly cut the budget for the National Animal Identification System.  Report (1:00 mp3)

USDA Under Secretary Bruce Knight has information about the recently released business plan for Advancing Animal Disease Traceability.  Report (1:00 mp3)

To see this plan, click Here

Pork producers can now access a new website to find information about improving production efficiencies, which includes optimizing feed costs.  Report (1:00 mp3)   To learn more, click Here

Both the National Pork Producers Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are pleased with the Senate’s passage of the Peru Free Trade Agreement.  Report (:30 mp3)

The National Pork Producers Council is just one group who is working with USDA in promoting the National Animal Identification System, and so far the partnership has proved to work very well.  Report (1:15 mp3)

New forecasts are out for meat production and prices, and while some numbers are down a bit from earlier projections, overall they still look good.  Report (1:10 mp3)

While the farm bill debate continues, Country of Origin Labeling is just one component included the the proposed versions. Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner discusses not only that, but also the issue of a possible veto by the President.  Report (1:30 mp3)

It only happens once each five years and producers of any kind of agriculture products are required to be counted. We’re working with USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service in our region again to help get the word out about the Census of Agriculture, so stay tuned for lots of information and frequent reminders about it in the coming weeks. Agriculture Census questionnaires will be mailed the last week of this year and should be returned by the first week of February 2008. Prompt action by producers will save a lot of extra time and effort to chase down the forms not returned on time. Learn more from USDA’s special Census of Agriculture website.
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Beef & Pork producers are pleased with the House approval of the Peru Free Trade Agreement which now heads to the Senate.  Report (1:00 mp3)

The National Pork Board meets next week to finalize plans for their 2008 operating plan and budget.  Report (:30 mp3)

USDA has a program underway to help small & economically disadvantaged livestock producers take part in the National Animal Identification System. Under Secretary Bruce Knight says it’s all an effort to get more producers involved in the system.   Report (1:10 mp3)

A hearing took place this week concerning modern packagaing of meat products using new technologies.  Report (:20 mp3)

 Due to increased production, hog producers may see lower prices over the next year according to one USDA official.  Report (:45 mp3)

Two new devices to be used for animal identification have been approved by USDA.  Report (:30 mp3)