Weekly Livestock-Equine News: September 23, 2024

Lower market prices for poultry affecting farm income

Lower market prices for poultry and many crops will pull down net farmer income 6% in 2025, bringing the third year in a row of decline, according to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). For 2025, “the impact of lower crop receipts outweighs the effects of high cattle prices and moderation of some production expenses.”

Beef-on-dairy breeding: At what cost?

Beef-on-dairy breeding has revolutionized the U.S. cattle industry, but dairy data expert Steve Eicker, DVM, fears the lure of near-term cash-outs on beef-cross calves may be damaging to the U.S. dairy business by shortening the supply of heifers and leading to declining milk production.

Schools address shortage of food-system veterinarians

Kansas State University is one of nine schools joining a new pilot program from Farm Journal Foundation to help veterinary students in career development and to address the national shortage of rural, food-systems veterinarians. The Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program, which is backed by support from the Zoetis Foundation, will help students with debt and financial planning, business management skills and engaging with rural communities.

AVMA releases expanded humane slaughter guidelines

The newest version of the “AVMA Guidelines for the Humane Slaughter of Animals,” released Sept. 13, updates content regarding the slaughter of hooved livestock species and poultry; provides additional information on ducks, geese, pheasants, quail and ratites; and adds new sections on mink and other fur-bearing animals, frogs, decapods, and cephalopods. Chapters are arranged according to species.

Hiland Dairy to expand Texas processing facility

Springfield, Missouri-based Hiland Dairy Foods Co. is adding 90,000 square feet to its facility in Tyler, Texas. The project calls for areas dedicated to processing, filling, casing, palletizing, load-out and storage, as well as a new laboratory. The company expects the project to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.

Beef tongue sees high demand in Japan

The use of beef tongue in Japan made an impression on a team of 21 farmers and farm group representatives who recently traveled to Japan as the Heartland Team to see firsthand the promotion of U.S. beef and pork in the region by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. “Tongue product is everywhere, right down to tongue flavored pretzels,” said one team member. Is it favored over ribeye steak.