FSIS to replace Fast Screen Test
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a notice (44-11) to inspection program personnel (IPP) notifying them that on September, 11, 2011, it will replace the Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test (FAST) with the Kidney Inhibition Swab (KIS) Test for swine carcasses at slaughter establishments that slaughter both swine and cattle and where the KIS test is already in use for cattle
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Cattle Outlook: USDA forecasting drop in 2012 beef production
The August supply and demand report lowered USDA’s forecast of the 2011 corn crop by 556 million bushels and raised their corn price estimate to between $6.20 and $7.20 per bushel. They are predicting that for the first time ever, feed will not be the primary use for the U.S. corn crop.
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National Beef is recalling over 60,000 pounds of ground beef
National Beef Packing Co. LLC, a Dodge City, Kan., establishment, is recalling approximately 60,424 pounds of ground beef products that may be adulterated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Friday.
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Cattle Outlook: Calf crop predicted down for 16th year
USDA's July cattle inventory report said the midyear cattle inventory was down 1.1% compared to July 1, 2010 and predicted the 2011 calf crop would total 35.5 million head, down 0.5% from last year, down for the 16th consecutive year, and the smallest calf crop since 1950.
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Study: Animal welfare labeling on products
A new study shows mandatory labeling of animal welfare practices is important to some consumers.
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Lummis proposes livestock marketing bill
Rep. Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bill that would target meat packer practices that she says are unfair to independent ranchers and farmers.
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Kan. workers seek to bar immigration questions
Workers who filed a class-action lawsuit against a Kansas slaughterhouse for unpaid wages and overtime have asked a federal judge to bar Creekstone Farms Premium Beef from discovering their immigration status during the litigation.
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Beef 706 program offered to Texas Cattle Ranchers
Beef producers are invited to attend a free hands-on seminar August 15 - 16 or August 17 - 18 at Texas A&M University in College Station. As part of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) effort in Texas, Beef 706 focuses on safety and quality issues faced by all cattlemen.
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Vermont offers grant program to expand meat processing
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is now accepting applications for grants to expand meat processing in the state.
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Feeding margins improve, packer margins decline
The feedlot trade became active on Thursday of last week, and cattle from southern feedlots sold at $108 to $110 per hundredweight.
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Swift to pay $1.3 million fine for water pollution at Nebraska plant
Swift Beef Co. agreed to pay a $1.3 million fine to settle allegations the company violated the federal Clean Water Act by dumping pollutants into rivers near its Grand Island, Neb., processing plant.
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