Weekly livestock news: October 31, 2022

Tyson to pay $10.5 million to settle Washington poultry price-fixing suit

Tyson will pay $10.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of conspiring with other companies to drive up poultry prices in Washington since at least 2008. Seattle Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the agreement last week. The total amount of settlement payments from companies named in the state’s suit now totals $11.7 million. The 16 poultry companies that haven’t yet resolved their cases—including Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue, as well as the former Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms (who have since merged)—make up the majority of Washington’s broiler chicken market, according to Food Dive.

Turkey prices rise after more than 6 million of them died in this year’s bird flu

Bird flu this year has killed more than 6 million turkeys across the country, about 14% of total U.S. turkey production, according to the USDA. It’s leaving farmers short of their usual stock and pushing prices for remaining product up as much as 20% or more per pound compared with prices for Thanksgiving turkeys last year, according to several estimates. “It’s devastating,” said Heidi Diestel, whose family has operated the Diestel Family Turkey Ranch in California for four generations. The ranch lost more than 150,000 turkeys in August after bird flu infected one of its flocks. While they still have other healthy flocks, Diestel said certain turkey varieties they typically sell were pretty much wiped out. “It definitely did impact our availability and supply, and we won’t have everything for everyone like we normally do,” she told The Washington Post.

Hurricane Ian caused as much as $1.8 billion in damage to Florida agriculture, state says

Hurricane Ian caused as much as $1.8 billion in damages to Florida agriculture last month, state officials said. The storm caused between $1.1 billion and $1.8 billion in losses to Florida’s crops and agriculture infrastructure after landing in southwest Florida and tearing through the peninsula, according to a preliminary estimate released last week by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Crop damage ranged from $686 million to $1.2 billion, with the biggest losses in citrus. For non-citrus fruits and vegetables, Florida lost an estimated $153.7 million to $230.5 million, or around 10% to 15% of crops, the report said. The Associated Press reports.

USDA grants $759 million for high-speed internet in rural areas

Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week a $759 million investment in 49 projects to bring high-speed internet access to rural communities across the country, the agency’s biggest broadband announcement this year. The funding is part of the USDA’s ReConnect Program, which supports projects that bring high-speed internet to or improve it in underserved areas. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure law passed last November included $2 billion for expanded broadband. The White House last year estimated more than 30 million of the country’s residents live in rural and urban areas that lack internet connections at “minimally acceptable levels.” Successful Farming reports.

Dairy group offers scholarships to veterinary students

The National Dairy Herd Information Association is offering $1,500 scholarships to third- and fourth-year students at AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges. Judges will evaluate applicants based on overall interest as a veterinarian planning to work in dairy, involvement in dairy medicine and extracurricular activities, and interest in using software and records to aid in dairy management and in improving animal health. Applications are due December 31. More information on the opportunity is in the announcement in Wisconsin Ag Connection.

University of Saskatchewan launches bachelor’s degree in food industry management

The University of Saskatchewan has launched a new undergraduate degree program in food industry management. Students in the program “will learn advanced knowledge of food science, agri-food economics, food management practices and food industry policy to prepare them for jobs in the booming agri-food sector,” according to the university. “This degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the agri-food sector including food operations manager, food policy and regulatory analyst, food marketing manager, food processor and product development consultant, and food industry entrepreneur,” said Darren Korber, department head of food and bioproduct sciences at the University of Saskatchewan.