Weekly Livestock-Equine News: August 12, 2024
ASPCA releases scorecard on animal welfare
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched the latest ASPCA Supermarket Scorecard, a consumer resource that ranks grocery retailers in the United States on farm animal welfare issues. As it did last year, the scorecard considers cage confinement of laying hens, crate confinement of pregnant pigs, and the treatment and breed health of chickens raised for meat. This second annual report includes an assessment of whether companies are eliminating the most inhumane farming practices from their private labels.
Australia to export reduced-methane beef
CH4 Global announced the signing of its first offtake agreement to export reduced-methane beef from Australia. The company’s flagship product – Methane Tamer™ — is designed to leverage Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce enteric methane emissions in cattle by up to 90%.
Pork supply chain looks strong in second half 2024
A better cost environment and resilient demand support the outlook for global pork markets, according to the RaboResearch Global Pork Quarterly Q3 2024 report. Lower feed costs will support farming expansion, and pork consumption in the second half of 2024 should improve due to seasonal demand. However, disease pressures and trade vulnerabilities – including China’s antidumping probe into EU pork imports – remain risk factors.
Oregon ranchers suffer financial losses from wildfires
Livestock losses are severe due to wildfires in eastern Oregon, and the losses of valuable grazing ground are mounting. More than 1.1 million acres have burned in the state.
FDA taking a fresh look at pre-market animal food review programs
FDA CVM Center Director Tracey Forfa, J.D., M. Div., clarified the agency’s relationship with the Association of American Feed Control Officials. “The relationship between FDA and AAFCO is not ending [with the Oct. 1 expiration of their Memorandum of Understanding]” wrote Forfa. But “the expiration of the MOU presents an opportunity for FDA to begin a thorough evaluation of its pre-market animal food review programs.”
Research supports sagebrush grazing
United States Department of Agriculture scientists have identified potential ecological benefits – including limiting wildfire risk and invasive annual grasses — of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities across U.S. western rangelands.
