Weekly livestock news: March 1, 2021

Midwest Poultry Federation shifts to all-virtual event in 2021

The Midwest Poultry Federation has decided to shift its 2021 convention this spring to a fully online, virtual event May 18-21. “We were so hopeful that we might be able to bring attendees, exhibitors and speakers together safely in-person in May, but after careful consideration of all factors, it became clear that this was the best decision we could make for everyone involved,” said MPF President Scott Waldner. In making its decision, the board reviewed vaccination rates and national and international travel policies, and collaborated with vendor partners. “The safety of our attendees is paramount and there are simply too many unknowns at this point, especially with the national and international nature of our meeting,” Waldner said.

Pilgrim’s Pride owes $107.9 million after pleading guilty to price fixing

Pilgrim’s Pride pleaded guilty on charges that it participated in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, WattAgNet reports. The company admitted in the U.S. District Court in Denver to conspiring to suppress and eliminate competition for sales of broiler products in the United States, in a plot that affected at least $361 million in Pilgrim’s Pride sales. The plea agreement stated the price fixing activity began as early as 2012 and continued until at least 2017. The company now owes criminal fines of $107.9 million.

Political environment may be right for agriculture immigration reform

The United States hasn’t seen comprehensive immigration reform in decades, but agriculture industry leaders say now may be the time undocumented farmworkers have a shot at gaining legal status, Feedstuffs reports. “We feel that perhaps the political environment may be right in 2021 to get this done for the first time in a long time,” said Chuck Conner, president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. After several failed attempts, “2021 hopefully is the year where we can get it through both bodies [of Congress] and solve this festering problem for American agriculture that has just been out there far too long,” Conner said. Lawmakers will soon turn their attention to immigration reform, with votes to come as early as March.

Farmers are ready to fight climate change, but not at the expense of government support: AFBF president

Farmers expect to be paid for climate change mitigation efforts but not at the expense of traditional farm subsidies, the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation said during a recent panel discussion. AFBF president Zippy Duvall and other agriculture leaders spoke at USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum shortly after USDA climate adviser Robert Bonnie said land and water stewardship practices that are popular among farmers align with climate-smart steps envisioned by the White House. Duvall said that while farmers want to be part of climate discussions, they’re also hesitant about unclear financial outcomes. “Is it going to take away from my Title I programs [crop subsidies] that we have in the farm bill, [are] the funds going to climate change?” he said. “The farm bill is so important to our farmers in rural America and…they have a fear there.” Successful Farming reports.

State agriculture departments release food security toolkit

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has released a new toolkit to help states create programs to eliminate food insecurity, Feedstuffs reports. Before the pandemic, 17% of Americans were considered food insecure, said NASDA president Dr. Ryan Quarles, who led the project, speaking at NASDA’s Winter Policy Conference. During the pandemic, food banks saw an estimated 30% increase in Americans using their services. The toolkit provides examples of more than 20 successful programs state departments of agriculture have implemented through partnerships with other organizations.