Weekly livestock news: September 20, 2021

Farm income could drop nearly 20% next year amid lower government payments and higher production costs: FAPRI

After reaching its highest level since 2013, U.S. net farm income could drop 19% next year, despite continued high crop and livestock revenue, according to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. The drop would largely be due to a decrease in government payments and higher production expenses. In FAPRI’s model, direct government payments to farmers would total $6.3 billion next year, compared with $28.3 billion this year—nearly a quarter of farm income—and a record $45.7 billion in 2020. Conservation programs would make up the biggest portion of 2022 government payments, at $4 billion, FAPRI said. The projected drop of farm income next year to $99.3 billion would still be higher than USDA’s 10-year average of $90 billion a year, Successful Farming reports.

United States and European Union plan global deal to cut methane emissions nearly 30% by 2030

The United States and the European Union have agreed to aim to cut human-caused methane emissions by nearly 30% by the end of this decade, CNN reports. President Joe Biden announced the agreement Friday during the Major Economies Forum, a virtual closed-door meeting with other world leaders on climate. He was joined by representatives from other MEF countries, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The United States and the European Union are both due to propose laws this year to restrict methane emissions, according to Reuters.

DSM gets approval in Brazil and Chile to commercialize methane-reducing feed additive

Royal DSM has received full regulatory approval from authorities in Brazil and Chile to commercialize Bovaer, its methane-reducing feed additives for ruminants. The new market authorizations cover beef, dairy, sheep and goats. “We are excited that we got these authorizations in Brazil and Chile, which makes Latin America the first continent to get approvals for Bovaer,” said Mauricio Adade, president of DSM Latin America. According to Adade, a trial of the product at Sao Paolo State University in Brazil resulted in enteric methane emission reductions of up to 55%, “which highlights the potential of Bovaer for radically more sustainable cattle farming in Latin America.”

Meat industry denies consolidation is the reason for higher consumer prices

The North American Meat Institute accused the Biden administration of trying to “scapegoat” the meat and poultry industry as consumer prices rise, Drovers reports. This comes after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack delivered a briefing, and the White House issued an accompanying report, outlining officials’ opinion on how consolidation in the industry has caused prices to rise while large meat processors profit during the pandemic. The administration outlined actions it says it’s taking to make the industry more competitive and help farmers and ranchers. NAMI disputed the administration’s assessment. “Americans are experiencing firsthand what the Secretary refuses to acknowledge, the effects of COVID and lack of labor are hurting consumers, and nothing proposed by the Secretary of Agriculture on the structure of the meat and poultry industry will help families struggling to pay for groceries,” NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts wrote in a letter to Vilsack. The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, however, expressed satisfaction at the administration’s evaluation.

Consumers are eligible for payment in $181 million settlement by poultry producers in price-fixing lawsuit

Settlements totaling $181 million have been reached in a class action antitrust lawsuit against several poultry producers, meaning consumers could be eligible to receive money. The settlements were reached with producers such as Pilgrim’s Pride, Tyson Foods and several others, who were accused of conspiring to stabilize the price and supply of chicken. The agreements cover consumers in multiple states who purchased certain chicken products between 2009 and 2020.

New combination drug treats bovine respiratory disease and underlying fever

Zoetis has launched a new injectable product to treat bovine respiratory disease and control related fever (pyrexia). Draxxin KP (tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection) is approved for use in beef steers, beef heifers, beef calves at least two months of age, beef bulls, dairy bulls and dairy replacement heifers. This expands on Zoetis’ injectable Draxxin (tulathromycin injection) by adding ketoprofen, a fast-acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. “With BRD, there can be an underlying fever, which can progress quickly and lead to appetite loss,” said Dr. Shawn Blood, Zoetis’ managing technical services veterinarian. “Using an NSAID together with an antibiotic can aid treatment response and reduce the fever that typically comes with BRD compared with using an antibiotic treatment alone.”

Ceva Swine names new swine technical services manager

Dr. Edgar Diaz has joined Ceva Animal Health as swine technical services manager. In his new role, Diaz will focus on continuing to grow the company’s customized swine vaccines, developing the genomics platform and supporting the sales team. Diaz most recently served as director of marketing and Newport Laboratories for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.