Hog Production

The Digital Farmhand: How AI is Solving the Agricultural Labor Crisis

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:36 GMT

Agriculture is facing a historic labor shortage at the same time artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how the world operates. Some fear AI adoption will result in job loss and businesses being left behind due to rapidly evolving technology. Others say AI is the digital farmhand agriculture needs right now to handle repetitive data tasks while humans focus on high-value animal husbandry or field work.

Either way, one thing is true – AI is not going anywhere.

“Whether AI replaces jobs or not depends on how the industry chooses to use it,” says Angel Andaya, manager of digital solutions for Silver Support, a managed development center supporting operations, finance, digital solutions, information technology and automation services.

If AI is seen purely as a replacement, she says that is likely the direction it will take. But it could also become a powerful tool to help farm operations thrive despite labor challenges.

The “Why Now” of AI: Accessibility and Adoption

While AI has existed for years (think Netflix recommendations and GPS), the launch of ChatGPT marked a paradigm shift that made the technology conversational and accessible to everyone, says Tracy Soper, senior director of data excellence at Keystone Cooperative.

“At 100 million [users] in two months, ChatGPT’s growth is unheard of – nothing has grown that fast,” Soper said at the National Pedigreed Livestock Council’s annual meeting. “Why? Because it was conversational and easy to access. It was something all of us could touch and could relate to, like, ‘Oh, this is a thing. It makes my life easier.’”

In the past, technology adoption took years. Now, it happens in months, creating a sense of “AI hysteria” and a need for clear strategy, he adds.

Problem First, People Always

Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human expertise, it should be viewed as an amplification tool, he says. The strategy is to avoid expensive shelfware by starting with specific business problems.

“It can do a lot of things, but how are we going to use it?” Soper asks. “For us at Keystone, AI is not about replacing people; it’s making people better.”

Years ago, Soper says his job was to look over all things related to information technology (IT). Today that looks like AI and automation solutions as the cooperative’s scale has grown.

“For us, it’s starting very specifically with what problem we’re trying to solve today and then asking, ‘Why can’t we solve it with what we’ve got?’” he says.

Keystone takes a four-step approach:

1. Start with the problem, not the technology.

“AI only creates value when it’s solving a real business challenge. Companies that buy a tool, hand it to IT and expect magic end up with expensive shelfware,” Soper says.

2. Data readiness before algorithms.

“Any insight is only as good as the data feeding it,” he says. “We invested significant time building a modern data foundation before ever pursuing AI.”

3. Amplify expertise – don’t replace it.

“AI is not replacing agronomists, breed managers or the people closest to the animals. It’s amplifying their experience and sharpening their decision timing,” Soper explains.

4. Your data is the competitive edge.

“The competitive gap will be built on data readiness as much as algorithms,” he says.

In the future, Keystone is working actively in predictive machine learning and generative AI, using them to improve decision timing, streamline operations and better serve the producers who depend on the cooperative.

Shorten Time-Consuming Tasks

AI helps experts ask better questions sooner, Soper says. With data flowing more freely across the value chain, he believes there is great opportunity where AI and animal data converge.

For example, computer vision for body condition scoring, lameness detection and welfare monitoring is moving from research into practice in many barns. He’s also excited about how AI-assisted genomic prediction and health monitoring are advancing across species and can help make progress more quickly.

Andaya encourages farmers to think about the daily realities on the farm. What tasks are essential, but time consuming and repetitive?

“Even small improvements in how they are managed can free up valuable time and improve decision-making on the ground,” Andaya says.

If these processes are supported through AI, she believes it will enable farmers and their employees to focus more on animal welfare, planning and improving overall farm productivity.

“In this sense, AI is less about replacement and more about giving farmers and livestock teams the space to focus on what truly matters,” she says.

4 Tips for Successful AI Implementation

Agriculture and livestock operations are full of valuable data from daily logs to finances, Andaya explains.

“What’s changing is how effectively this information can be used,” she says.

Soper says Keystone has learned four important lessons in their journey to use AI more efficiently.

1. Data quality is everything.

Start with the data you own. Then budget time for discovery and cleanup.

2. Build for the people doing the work.

The tool needs to make someone’s job easier or it won’t get used. AI should amplify good discipline.

3. Scope tight, prove value first.

Prove it works before you scale. The business has to own the problem – IT enables, but stakeholders drive adoption and define success.

4. Governance can’t wait.

Policies around approved tools, data and data protection need to exist before people experiment. Once people start using AI on their own, it’s harder to rein in.

The Next Guatemala? USMEF Sees Massive Upside for U.S. Beef and Pork in Ecuador

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:22:33 GMT

Ecuador recently became the ninth country to sign an agreement on reciprocal trade with the U.S. And while it will take some time to implement, once in place, the deal will greatly expand opportunities for U.S. beef and pork in Ecuador, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror.

Tariffs of 20% on beef and 45% on pork are mostly phased out, although there are exceptions on pork.
A 30% tariff on processed pork products which will remain in place.
The agreement recognizes all USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspected facilities as eligible for export to Ecuador, removing the need for individual facility approvals.

“The tariff on beef is basically 20% and that’s phased to zero in the agreement over three years,” Borror explains. “For pork, tariffs of 45% are mostly phased out. There are some exceptions on further processed products and sausages that will see tariffs remain at 30%.”

Borror says one of the key wins in these reciprocal trade agreements is getting countries to recognize FSIS, the U.S. food safety authority, as the competent authority.

“They will recognize all FSIS-inspected facilities as eligible to export, rather than going through onerous questionnaires, plant-by-plant audits and maintaining plant lists which have gotten to be unmanageable,” she says.

Borror expects export growth to be similar to what was seen in Guatemala after passage of the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

“Both of those countries have a population of close to 18 million people,” she says. “Their GDP per capita is somewhere close to $7,000, so very similar. And if we take Guatemala, U.S. beef export growth from 2006 to 2025, saw growth from $3 million to $105 million. For pork, the market went from $10 million to $148 million.”

In 2025, the U.S. exported virtually no pork to Ecuador and only $3 million in beef. She says there is great potential in Ecuador.

One Farmer's Idea to Avoid Yellowstone Drama When Transferring the Family Farm

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:15:23 GMT

At 8 cents a pound, pigs weren’t worth much when Todd Wiley formed Interstate Swine LLC with his dad in 1998. Nobody wanted weaned pigs. Facilities quickly became available as people left the pork industry. With a sincere desire to make a living raising pigs on his family’s farm, Wiley stepped out in faith. Nearly 30 years later, this multi-generational farming endeavor in eastern Iowa has survived some of the toughest times and some of the best times.

Maybe that’s why Wiley has taken a unique approach to bringing the third generation back to the farm.

“There’s no doubt that family is important to Todd,” says Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “He puts family first, and the farm is a part of that discussion. He manages his family members that are part of that farm in a real professional way, but also with an eye towards the legacy that he and Denise want to leave on their farm.”

Would This Be Good For My Kids?

Growing up, Wiley’s parents talked about succession planning often with their three sons. The concept of planning for the generational transfer of the family farm came naturally to Wiley.

“When we started Interstate Swine, we needed to hire employees,” he says. “One of the things I was conscientious about was making sure the employment opportunity within our business would be conducive to our children filling those roles.”

From the beginning, Wiley instituted health insurance plans, matching IRA funds, paid time off, paid vacation, and other benefits that employees would typically look for when securing a job.

“I constantly asked myself if this would this be good for my kids someday?” he says.

Wiley and his wife, Denise, have four kids: Drew, a Kansas State University animal science graduate and former K-State Football defensive tackle; Isaac, an Iowa State University agribusiness graduate now employed with Ever.Ag; Emma, owner of Auntie Em’s - Event Florist and attended Des Moines Area Community College; and Joshua, a junior at Iowa State University in animal science.

In 2017-2018, the Wileys doubled their sow farm to create more opportunities for the children to have a place on the family farm.

“It was a fairly tedious process – not only from a business standpoint, but about what the next generation was going to do,” he says. “They were all too young back then, and there was no way I could ask them for any sort of commitment to our business. But I did ask a lot of professionals. I remember asking our accountant specifically, ‘In your experience, what is the likelihood of a farm family having the next generation be involved, providing you have a viable business?’”

The accountant’s response was, “It’s pretty high.”

“Denise and I knew we needed to have some economies of scale,” Wiley explains. “There’s not much point in succession planning, if there’s nothing to succeed to or succeed with. We were mindful of that when we moved forward. Now, we have room for additional people, not only for labor, but also in management where we can utilize their skills.”

No Yellowstone Drama Here

As a family, it is easy to recognize each other’s strengths as well as quirks, he points out. But he wanted a better way to evaluate his children’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as interests, on the farm.

“I remember when a successful family in eastern Iowa, with a number of businesses, built a feed mill and elevator,” Wiley shares. “The father of this family passed away unexpectedly. Come to find out, nobody in the family had any interest in this feed mill and elevator, so they end up selling it.”

This hit Wiley hard. What would his kids say about where their farm was investing capital? That sparked the construction of a succession planning instrument for the Wiley family.

(Lori Hays)

“The first page of the instrument (an Excel document) started two years ago with a list of 35 jobs that need to be done on our farm,” Wiley says. “Most of them are pig related, but we do crop farm some. It was pretty much everything I was doing in a spreadsheet.”

Each of their children (and one daughter in-law at the time) was asked to rate those 35 jobs from one to five under this scenario: It’s 2033 and Todd and Denise are serving in an advisory role only. You choose to be an active employee of the family businesses. Please answer by circling the corresponding number that best describes your interest in the listed activity.

“It was interesting to see who had interest in what, but it also told us pretty clearly where we needed to go in the future if we wanted our children involved in our business,” Wiley says. “Initially, I think they saw it as a fun activity, just another of Dad’s crazy ideas. But I learned a lot.”

This past summer, the family completed the exercise again.

“I needed to see if the kids were drifting in their interest,” he says. “In one case, there was significant movement in what one of our kids wanted to do. It surprised me to be truthful about it. In the other three cases, they held true to what they thought two years previous. But bear in mind, our youngest was a freshman in college two years ago and a lot can change in college.”

Wiley emphasizes that nobody is required to come back and be involved in the operation. He says there are a million ways to make a living out there and he wants his kids to pursue their dreams. In the version his family filled out in the summer of 2025, he added a second page with 45 statements.

“If you’re going to work with people in a business and a family in any organization, even if you’re not related, you need to have some idea of where they’re coming from,” Wiley says. “On the second page of statements, they were asked to rank their level of agreement with the statement.”

For example, one of the statements was: No matter what I may think of a family member’s job performance, I’ll always have their back publicly.

“If you’ve ever watched Yellowstone, that show creeped me out,” Wiley says. “When I saw the family dynamic portrayed, it made me uncomfortable. We can have our disagreements. But, as a family, you better have each other’s backs out in the community, especially in the business we’re in.”

Getting Out and Getting In

This instrument has been helpful for the Wileys in many ways as they prepare to transfer more of the farm to their children.

“It sheds light on areas where their belief system parallels ours,” he says. “We have a definite place of emphasis now. Our children have a pig feeding business called Fourth Gen Hogs LLC, where they’re each 20% owners, Denise is a 10% owner, and I’m a 10% owner. It has been a great exercise in giving them the responsibility of ownership.”

He says the timing mirrors the situation he was in when Interstate Swine was formed.

“They got in about a year ago when it was pretty doom and gloom. We went to the bank with this idea, and they’re like, ‘You want to do what?’”

He believes this business venture will be the vehicle for he and his wife to exit pig ownership as their children get into ownership.

“Uncle Sam would have his way with us if we sold out all at once,” Wiley says. “But if we can gradually exit individual barns or individual parts of our production flow and have them enter into it, that’s a fairly nice segue for us to get out and them to get in.”

Wiley shares more about his mini adventure raising rabbits, opportunities for talented young people back on the farm and the message he hopes pork producers hear right now and more on The PORK Podcast. You can watch it here on YouTube or listen anywhere podcasts are found.

Watch more episodes here.

Oikonomia on the Farm: Succession Planning is About More Than Wealth

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:57:19 GMT

Succession planning is often treated as a legal or financial exercise — a “simple” matter of wills, taxes and transfer dates. Yet for family-owned farms and agribusinesses, it’s something deeper: the deliberate handoff of a way of life.

The ancient Greeks had a word for this kind of management, oikonomia, from which we get the term economy. Understanding what they meant by it can reorient how families think about preparing the next generation.

In classical thought, oikonomia referred to the management of the oikos, the household or estate, but it was never only about efficiency or profit. The oikonomos, or household steward, was responsible for using resources wisely so the entire household could live well and endure long into the future.

Ancient philosophers viewed resources as abundant, not scarce, so economic action was judged not by the accumulation of wealth but by whether it enabled and served a praiseworthy end. Specifically, the flourishing of the family, the land and the community.

Perspective for the Present

That older vision aligns closely with what succession planning should be for agriculture. The task is not just to pass on land and assets, but to ensure the continuity of stewardship, the ethical responsibility to care for what has been entrusted.

From an oikonomia perspective, the senior generation’s goal is to prepare successors capable of managing abundance with restraint, gratitude and wisdom. This calls attention to the education of character. The next generation must learn more than production and finance; they must learn judgment, the ability to distinguish needs from wants and to act for the common good. Mentorship, gradual transfer of responsibility, and open discussion of values all form part of this ethical training.

Perhaps most importantly, oikonomia reminds us that a farm is both a business and a household. Financial plans that ignore family dynamics or the moral vision of the enterprise risk undermining the very legacy they seek to protect.

Succession planning works best when it integrates three elements at once: the technical (who owns and manages what), the relational (how the family communicates and cooperates) and the moral (why the farm exists and whom it serves).

In that light, passing the farm to the next generation becomes not just a transaction but an act of stewardship — a modern form of oikonomia. The question is no longer only how do we divide the assets but how do we preserve the household, the land and the purpose they represent for future generations?

Plan for Now, Adjust Later: Create Your Estate Plan Before It's Too Late

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:55:52 GMT

Nobody wants to think about death, but it’s something Polly Dobbs, an estate planning and wealth transfer attorney with Dobbs Legal Group LLC, thinks about every day.

“When I was a new lawyer, I was so nervous to say dead or death,” Dobbs recalls. “I was in a meeting with a partner and his client once when I stumbled over something and said, ‘in the unfortunate event you should pass away.’ After that meeting, the partner yanked me out in the hallway and said, ‘Stop stuttering. Just say when you die. It’s not if, it’s when.’”

She’s been dealing in death ever since, but she says that perspective allows her to serve her clients better.

“What if you got hit by a bus tomorrow?” Dobbs asks. “You should have a plan in place that fits today’s circumstances. If your grandson is playing with John Deere toys in the sandbox, let’s not create a succession plan that hinges on that grandson coming back to farm. Let’s have a plan in place that fits right now, in case you die tomorrow. If you don’t die and you get to see how those grandkids turn out and which direction their lives take, you can adjust that plan.”

People often think they can figure out their estate plan later – when they are older, richer, sicker, free from debt and the list goes on.

“Too often, people don’t have a plan, and they end up dying before they’ve got it just how they want it,” Dobbs says. “Have something that fits for today and dust it off as needed.”

What Should Drive Decisions?

When it comes to estate planning, Dobbs says there is no cookie-cutter-approach.

“You can’t copy what your neighbor did,” she says. “It has to be customized for your family, your facts, your assets, your goals, your family members and your farm.”

She often challenges farmers with tough questions like should your off-farm kids get bought out?

“Should they get bought out of equipment, improvements, grain bins, shops, shed and all of the silver things that we build on top of gravel lots to use in production agriculture?” she asks. “Do you feel like your off-farm heirs are entitled to a share of these operating assets? If so, fine. If not, that’s OK, too.”

Part of what Dobbs does is give permission to people to treat their children differently and to define their children’s inheritance.

“It’s not necessarily one quick check after an auction after your funeral,” she points out. “It is absolutely fine to treat your children differently. I preach over and over again that fair does not mean equal. There is no law that says the columns for your children must tally to the penny and be exactly equal with the assets they receive at your death. You’re aiming for a fair balance, and you define what is fair.”

Ultimately, she says, it comes down to peace of mind when you lay your head on the pillow. Do you have a fair plan in place?

Talk Now, Don’t Wait

Communicating the estate plan during your lifetime is very important, but it’s often the step that farmers fail to complete. She says transparency helps avoid entitlement.

“When someone thinks they’re going to get a certain amount of the value of your assets, they’re already calculating it and counting on it,” she says. “After your death, if the plan is different, that’s when the entitlement rears its head.”

She emphasizes the details must be defined by the farmer.

“A lot of my clients would rather put their head down and have the plan unveiled after death,” Dobbs says. “I understand that’s challenging. But it’s far better to have transparency and throw everything out on the conference room table so you can shine a light on it and talk about it.”

In addition to getting all the family in the room, Dobbs believes there should be more than one adviser at the table at a time.

“This is how you get the best plan, and you will always have a better plan if your advisers speak to each other,” she adds. “There is this falsehood out there that you need to stop your lawyer from talking to your accountant because that means they’re both charging you at the same time. I promise it will always be cheaper in the end, and a better plan, if your advisers talk to each other.”

Touchy Subjects

One of the sensitive subjects many farmers are dealing with today is the issue of sweat equity and treating it like deferred compensation, she says.

“When we have a successor coming in, depending on how long that successor has been working side by side with the senior generation, they’ve earned something,” Dobbs says. “We’re not talking about giving them a handout. If we give them a discounted price, or we give them assets off the top as a part of the succession plan or part of the estate plan, that’s not a handout.”

Deferred compensation says that if a young person had gone to work in a factory right out of school, they would be earning and investing in a 401K or perhaps stock compensation. They probably would have health insurance and HSA accounts that most family farms just don’t have, she explains.

“When the senior generation is putting together their succession and estate plan, consider the benefits the successor gave up by not working off farm,” she says. “Having some sort of benefit, discounts, family-friendly terms in the succession plan and in the estate plan should be considered deferred compensation.”

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Tax Acts and Estate Plans: What You Need to Know About the Changes for 2026

Tax Acts and Estate Plans: What You Need to Know About the Changes for 2026

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:46:28 GMT

Taxes don’t destroy family farms – people do, says Polly Dobbs, an estate planning and wealth transfer specialist.

“It’s not Uncle Sam – it’s your third wife and your kids from your first two wives, it’s your kids in the city versus your kids on the farm, and it’s ultimately your failure to plan for all that because you don’t want to hurt somebody’s feelings,” she explains. “It’s very lazy to say that taxes ruin the farm. That’s rarely the case.”

All the details matter, says Dobbs with Dobbs Legal Group LLC. She doesn’t believe in sugarcoating the hard truth. That’s why she’s devoted her career to helping farm families navigate estate planning and wealth transfer.

A “Permanent” Estate Tax

On July 4, President Donald Trump signed into effect the One Big Beautiful Bill, which has a significant effect on federal taxes, credits and deductions.

When it comes to gift and estate taxes, Dobbs points out a big change under the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) section.

“The new exemption as of Jan. 1, 2026, will be $15 million per person, or $30 million for a married couple,” she said at the Keystone Cooperatives Co-op Classic in Valparaiso, Ind. “It is one exemption. You either use it during your lifetime to make gifts, or you have it available at death to shield inheritances. You don’t get two.”

This is an increase from $13,990,000 per person in 2025, and a welcome relief from the anticipated “drop off the cliff to around $7 million per person that was looming,” Dobbs adds.

Unlike the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from 2017, she says the exemption is considered permanent in that it doesn’t have a “self-destruct, sunset date.” However, she warns farmers not to get too excited about the “permanent tax act” because any future Congress and President can change any law on the books.

The new exemption will be indexed to inflation, she adds, and with adjustments made Jan. 1 every year beginning in 2027. IRS recently announced the tax year 2026 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including the income tax rate schedules and other tax changes. The annual gift tax exclusion will remain $19,000 in 2026, unchanged from 2025, which is the amount each donor can give to each recipient, without tapping into his or her big exemption.

“During the fourth quarter of every year, we’ll get inflation numbers, and we will know what the new exemption is going to be the following January,” Dobbs says. “It is nice to know there’s no ticking clock on this tax act. We can stop worrying about this dreaded sunset that was to happen at the end of 2025. The fact they got ahead of this and did it in July of 2025 is a gift.”

Dobbs has been working in gift and estate tax laws for 25 years and says there has never once been a permanent tax act.

“This is important information,” she says. “But that’s the caboose. It is not the engine that should be driving the decision making about the farm’s succession and estate planning. Family goals come first.”

Wisconsin Ag Regulators Propose Massive Livestock Fee Increases

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:08:28 GMT

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is proposing changes to rules, ATCP 10 and 12 , regulating animal disease and movement and animal markets, dealers and truckers.

According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) , these changes include massive fee increases that will be a substantial financial burden to markets, dealers and truckers that will unavoidably be passed down to farmers.

The license fee for what the DATCP calls “Animal Market Class A” would change from $420 to $7,430. A late fee for those markets would also increase by nearly 1,700% by shifting from the current price of $84 to $1,486. The registration fee paid by about 1,000 truckers transporting livestock in the state would increase 517%, from the current price of $60 to $370.

(Wisconsin Farm Bureau)

WFBF Government Relations Director Jason Mugnaini says it is important to clarify that Wisconsin’s program had historically received state funding support through DATCP, but this proposal shifts that onto industry fees.

The WFBF also reports the inspections and public health activity costs of these programs have previously been partially funded by state funding in Wisconsin, as they are in neighboring states. DATCP’s proposal shifts the full cost of these programs onto industry fees.

DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski explains the fees have not been adjusted since 2009 and the increases are needed to maintain critical animal health and transportation services.

“This program is currently in deficit because these have not been adjusted for so long,” Romanski explains. “Costs have increased during that time.”

He is transparent about the financial realities driving these increases. While the percentage increase might seem large, it reflects 17 years of accumulated cost pressures. He summarizes the goal is not to burden the industry, but to ensure the continued provision of critical animal health and movement services.

According to Sam GO, DATCP communications director, the DATCP Division of Animal Health receives federal funding through cooperative agreements for specific goals and objectives, such as animal disease surveillance and animal traceability. The cooperative agreements are separate from the programs in the proposed fee rules and do not fund the programs in the proposed fee rules.

She explains as federal funding for the cooperative agreements has decreased, those activities that are partially federally funded (such as animal disease surveillance and animal traceability) need to have a larger portion of their costs covered by the state animal health general program revenue. That means there is less state GPR remaining to cover the deficit in program revenue for the ATCP 10 and ATCP 12 programs.

The ATCP 10 fees support the following animal health programs: Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) Forms, Intermediate Handling Facilities, Disease Certifications (Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Pseudorabies), Equine Infectious Anemia Retests, Equine Quarantine Stations, Feed Lots, Medical Separation, National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), Farm-Raised Deer, and Fish Farms.

The Process

Romanski explains the administrative rule process is collaborative and takes about two and a half years. He says the process is designed to be collaborative with multiple opportunities for public input and engagement. He encourages stakeholders to not just critique the increases, but to offer constructive feedback and potential alternative solutions.

The current stage is specifically about public comment and engagement. He says the department wants to hear from industry members, producers and other stakeholders. They are actively seeking input that can help shape the final rule package.

The public can participate and provide feedback that can be considered by the department’s staff through several channels:

Attending public hearings
Submitting written comments by Oct. 15

The remaining hearings will be hosted virtually and at the Prairie Oaks State Office Building, Room 106, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI 53708. For more information, dial-in instructions and to register for online access click on the ATCP 10 or 12.

ATCP 10:
• Monday, Sept. 15 – 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 17 – 9 a.m.

ATCP 12 :
• Tuesday, Sept. 16 – 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 17 – 1 p.m.

Individuals can submit written comments by Oct. 15 to: Angela.fisher1@wisconsin.gov or Angela Fisher, DATCP, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708

Romanski explains after the public comment period, DATCP staff will review all submissions, consider suggested changes, and then present any revisions to their policy-making board. This ensures multiple layers of review and public involvement.

Neighboring State Comparisons

According to the proposal document , programs in adjacent states (Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois) are similar to Wisconsin, as all are based on federal standards. Neighboring states primarily fund these types of programs through general program revenue; therefore, they have lower fees than Wisconsin’s current fees. While Wisconsin’s program fees are collected from a small number of licensees, these critical programs have impacts and benefits across animal health, animal industries and public health.

In Iowa, a livestock market permit is $50 per year. The livestock dealer and livestock market agent permits are $10 per year. A bull breeder license is $20 every two years. A livestock dealer or order buyer permit is $50 per year. A feeder pig dealer agent permit is $6 every two years. A pig dealer’s agent permit is $3 per year.

In Michigan, an action Class I is $400 per year. A buying station (Class II) is $250 per year. The remaining fees are waived for veterans: A dealer (Class III) is $50 per year. An agent broker (Class III) is $50 per year. A collection point (Class III) is $50 per year. A trucker (Class IV) is $25 per year.

In Minnesota, a livestock market agency and public stockyard is $300 per year. A livestock dealer is $100 per year. A livestock dealer agent is $50 per year.

In Illinois, a livestock auction market license is $200 per year. The livestock dealer license is $25 for a new license, $10 for the annual renewal, as well as $10 for each location in addition to the first location, and $5 for each employee. A feeder swine dealer license is $25, the renewal is $10, and there is a fee of $5 for each employee. There is no fee for a slaughter livestock buyer’s license, just a requirement to submit an annual report.

Industry Feedback

Both the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) and WFBF have come out opposed to the fee increases.

Tressa Lacy, WCA president from Rio, Wis., voiced her concern at the first hearing on Sept. 11.

“The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association is in opposition to the proposed fee increases inspections and registrations related to a variety of activities by Wisconsin animal dealers, truckers and markets in ATCP 10 and 12,” she says. “I raise beef cattle with my husband and our 8-month-old in Columbia County. We both work off the farm in agriculture to financially afford our beef and hay farm operation, and I know the cost of these fees will be passed directly on to producers like us.

“The result of such significant increases will be fewer livestock marketing options, the potential for reduced disease traceability and fewer opportunities to sell livestock in the state of Wisconsin. Fewer options inevitably mean lower prices and thinner margins in an industry that is already being pushed on thin profit lines.”

She explains the inspections and animal health protections funded by these programs serve a broad public purpose — protecting animal health and consumer confidence in the meat raised in Wisconsin.

“It is fundamentally unfair to shift the entire cost onto the users as this is certainly a public food safety conversation,” Lacy adds. “I share the industry concern that these initial proposals are just the start of all programs in Wisconsin shifting to being user funded. Other states fund these programs with state support as the benefits are shared by everyone. DATCP should restore and continue the approach for these outlined programs.”

She concluded her comments saying: “WCA respectfully ask that DATCP reconsider these unreasonable fee increases and maintain a funding structure with state support that is fair, practical and supportive of both public health and Wisconsin agriculture.”

Mitch Giebel a WFBF member from Lyndon Station, Wis., also shared his thoughts on the proposed fee increases.

“I’m very concerned about the massive increases of fees being proposed,” he says. “As a young farmer, every dollar really does matter on our operation. We work hard to raise our livestock, and we already face high input costs, tight margins and unpredictability when it comes to marketing. Adding thousands of dollars in new fees, especially increases as massive as what is proposed doesn’t seem realistic. It’ll undoubtedly make it harder and tighter for the sale barns and livestock markets to survive, and unavoidably, it is probably going to be passed to us as the producers and farmers.”

He also explains programs such as animal health, disease control and traceability benefit everybody in the state, not just farmers.

“Healthy animals and safe food are the best interest for our state; other states recognize that and utilize state funding to maintain these programs and cover these costs,” he says. “Wisconsin needs to restore and maintain its state funding that has historically existed for these programs, rather than shifting a substantial burden on a small number of farmers and marketers. I am asking you to please reject these fee increases as they are written. They are too steep, too fast and out of line with our neighboring states.”

WFBF is calling on producers to share their concerns: “These unprecedented fee increases cannot move forward without your voice being heard. Share how these proposals would impact your farm, your business and Wisconsin agriculture.”

Pork Industry Encouraged by Preferential Market Access in US-EU Trade Framework

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:58:37 GMT

The White House announced a United States-European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade on Aug. 21. The Framework Agreement aims to resolve trade imbalances and maximize the U.S. and EU’s combined economic power in an ongoing process to improve market access and increase the U.S./EU trade and investment relationship, according to the Administration.

“America’s pork producers are encouraged by the specific inclusion of pork in the U.S.-EU framework to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. We look forward to continued collaboration to address longstanding market access issues,” says National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and CEO Dan Halstrom is encouraged to see that the European Union will provide preferential market access for pork and bison meat, has committed to streamlining requirements for U.S. pork sanitary certificates, and intends to address other non-tariff barriers affecting agricultural trade – including its deforestation regulation.

“These changes are long overdue, and USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration making agricultural market access a top priority in negotiations with the EU and with other key trading partners,” Halstrom says. “The U.S. has been a net importer of red meat from the EU due to the vast barriers the EU imposes on imports, and addressing the EU’s tariff and non-tariff barriers is absolutely essential for U.S. export growth.”

For decades, pork trade between the U.S. and the EU has been weighted to favor EU interests, NPPC says. In 2024, the U.S. exported $7 million of pork products to the EU while importing over $709 million from the EU. To compare, the U.S. currently exports more pork to Honduras than to the 27 countries total that make up the EU.

Halstrom adds that it’s critical that U.S. beef exports to the EU – which are already heavily restricted – face no further regulatory obstacles related to deforestation. With U.S. agriculture posing negligible risk to global deforestation, USMEF thanks the Trump administration for securing a commitment from the EU to address concerns of U.S. producers and exporters regarding the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Product Showcase Connects U.S. Meat Exporters with Buyers from Across Latin America

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:47:14 GMT

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) conducted another highly successful Latin American Product Showcase, connecting U.S. red meat exporters with dozens of prospective buyers from Central and South America. Held July 30-31 in Guatemala City, the 13th edition of the showcase featured 67 exhibitors and representatives from more than 80 USMEF member companies. With prospective buyers participating from 18 countries, total participants exceeded 500.

Through funding support from USDA, the National Pork Board, the Beef Checkoff Program, the Nebraska Beef Council and the Indiana Soy Alliance, USMEF’s Latin American Product Showcase has developed into a must-do event for a wide range of U.S. exporters and buyers from throughout the region. Attending for the first time, USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher, cattle feeder and grain farmer from southwestern Nebraska, said the showcase is a great example of the U.S. red meat industry’s effort to attract new customers and further develop emerging markets.

“There are buyers here who want the top of the line, then we have people maybe wanting that mid cut, and there is also a lot of demand for cuts we don’t use in the United States,” Hanson said. “That adds value, and as a U.S. cattleman I see it as a win-win situation.”

These sentiments were echoed by Kevin Rasmussen, an Iowa pork producer who serves on the National Pork Board. He also appreciated the opportunity to personally connect with international customers.

“A cool thing about Central America is they love some of the pork cuts that we don’t consume a lot of in the in the U.S., like the loin,” Rasmussen said. “They’re a huge fan of the pork loin. They say it’s very versatile in their cooking experience, and they enjoy it a lot. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to come to event like this and promote our product – talk to the buyers who are here, and ask them, ‘what do you want to know from a producer from north-central Iowa?’”

Whether they were veterans of many USMEF product showcases or first-time participants, importers found the event very productive. Juan Jose Trujillo is CEO of Frestolu, based in Medellin, Colombia. He attended the showcase for the first time in an effort to expand the scope of his processing business.

“We are a processing company, doing mainly shrimp, and we’re looking for another protein,” Trujillo explained. “So that’s why we are here, trying to understand more about beef and pork, so we can start selling these two proteins in Colombia.”

Trujillo said he sees the most immediate opportunity in U.S. pork ribs and pork variety meat items.

“Lungs, facemasks, ears, and also ribs,” he said. “There is a lot of rib consumption in our area, so we will start with those products.”

Alejandro Martinez, owner of Medellin-based importing company Inversiones Proteam, regularly returns to the USMEF showcase because it continues to deliver value for his business.

“This is my fifth [USMEF] show, and I think it’s the best one so far for me,” Martinez said. “It’s a very good opportunity to see all the providers and suppliers in one place.”

Martinez also enjoyed the opportunity to gather information and ideas from the wide range of buyers attending the showcase.

“I was talking to some people from Honduras and Guatemala, and they import basically the same products as my business,” he said. “But they do different things, serve different types of customers, and they process the items differently. So yes, it’s good to take some of these ideas and think about how I can implement them in Colombia.”

U.S. ag industry leaders participating in the showcase also took part in a retail tour, visiting a range of local outlets offering U.S. pork and beef.

Nebraska Beef Council member Mark Goes, who raises purebred cattle in southeastern Nebraska, appreciated the opportunity to see how U.S. red meat is merchandised in Guatemala City.

“We were able to visit four tiers of marketing yesterday, starting with a wet market,” he said. “Then we moved up three levels, touring a local grocery store, then a Walmart type of market, then a premium market. As we moved on up to the upper levels, we saw those premium cuts of beef, with U.S. Choice and Prime in great demand. Select, not so much, because they’re able to get that type of product locally.”

“When we look at what’s in the meat case at Walmart and some of those higher end grocery stores in Guatemala, U.S. pork cuts are very competitive,” Rasmussen added. “In that meat case, our product looks really good. The consumer in Central America is really keyed in on the quality of the product and willing to pay for quality.”

The event also had an important educational aspect, with USMEF Director of Trade Analysis Jessica Spreitzer presenting a comprehensive outlook for U.S. red meat production, consumption and trade. Paulo de Leon, executive director of CABI Economics, gave attendees an economic outlook for the Latin American region. Erick Sosa, Guatemala manager for Microsoft Americas, offered insights on how participants can use artificial intelligence in their business operations.

The next USMEF Latin American Product Showcase is planned for the summer of 2027, with the location and dates to be determined.

The Power of a Mentor: How You Can Inspire the Next Generation

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:12:45 GMT

I learned an important lesson early in life – find someone to look up to and help someone find a reason to look up to you. I know this is easier said than done. In theory, it is a great idea. But in reality, how do you put this into practice?

I spend a lot of time thinking about the next generation and ways to connect bright, promising young people to a life-giving future in agriculture. Over the years, a few things have become apparent to me when it comes to building connections between generations.

1. Make the first move.
Who cares if you get a cold shoulder? All too often we fail to make the first move because we let our doubts have more power than they deserve in our lives. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard farmers and other agricultural leaders express their desire to have young people reach out to them with questions. People want to be needed. The next generation will be more successful if they are armed with valuable lessons learned by today’s agricultural leaders.

It reminds me of the day I met Angie Denton at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Admittedly, she tells the story with more drama than I recall. She says, “I was at the pen and carload show taking photos and this firecracker of a college girl came up and said she wanted to be my intern. I’ll never forget the passion and drive in her voice and her sincere desire to want to learn and grow as a livestock communicator.”

This makes me laugh because I was shaking in my boots – literally. But I also knew that if I wanted to intern with Angie, I needed to create a connection. Email wouldn’t do (and no, we didn’t have social media so don’t even joke about that). Most importantly, that quick conversation was a starting point for a lifelong friendship. But in the short term, it helped me land one of the greatest mentoring experiences of my life at the Angus Journal.

Fast forward a couple decades and it was my honor to encourage my mentor to apply for the Drovers editorial position. I’m excited Angie and I have the privilege of working together at Farm Journal as we seek innovative ways to serve America’s cattle and swine producers.

2. Listen more than you speak.
As one of the youngest executive directors of a state swine organization, Seth Mitchell’s path is one that’s turning heads. He is the first person selected for the Pork Industry Immersion Program, a two-year deep dive into organizational leadership in the swine industry. I’ll never forget my husband telling me Seth was one to watch when he was a student at the University of Illinois. I try not to admit this too much, but my husband was right.

Seth Mitchell on the stage at the National Pork Industry Forum.

(Jennifer Shike)

To say I was fascinated with Seth’s journey in the Pork Industry Immersion Program is an understatement. The forward-thinking approach of the industry leaders who helped create this program reminds me why the pork industry is so special. While other agricultural industries are finding it challenging to engage Generation Z, the pork industry has a different story to tell.

“I’m a firm believer that the pork industry’s greatest asset is its people,” Mitchell told me during a recent conversation we had on The PORK Podcas t. “Some of our tremendous leaders in the industry are starting to age out and we need a bench of good folks to come in and fill those potential vacancies coming down the road.”

Seth learned many valuable lessons during the immersion experience, but I couldn’t agree more with the perspective he gained on listening.

“When you understand that producers drive most of what we do as state and national pork organizations, you understand the value of sitting across the table and listening to what they have to say,” he says. “I believe there is more value in listening than speaking in those circumstances. I like to use the adage, ‘be interested, not interesting.’”

3. Feedback is a gift.
My experiences in FFA and 4-H helped me discover the blessing behind constructive guidance. We’ll never be so smart that we can’t benefit from someone else’s viewpoint.

Seth discovered this early and it’s serving him well in his new role as executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

“One thing I’ve tried to be cognizant of is welcoming feedback,” he says. “Lean into it. Be curious and ask good questions. There are a lot of things I can’t fix unless someone makes me aware of it, so being receptive to feedback is helpful.”

Oftentimes the best thing we can do is invest in someone else. How will you accept the challenge to mentor the next generation? Don’t forget that it may be equally important to give someone else the opportunity to help you along in your journey. This is an industry that wouldn’t work without people. An investment in people always pays off in the end.

Your next read: In the Foxhole with Army Veteran and Pig Farmer Scott Hays

6 Steps to Successful Farm Transition

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:52:41 GMT

Aaron Blackmon, hog farmer and Extension agent from Bladenboro, N.C., advises others considering farm succession, whether with family members or a non-family member, to consider these six points. In 2023, he was able to purchase of a farm from the Singletary family whom he had worked for since he was 16 years old.

Don’t be afraid to have hard conversations.

“I didn’t go into it thinking that I wanted to get the farm,” Blackmon says. “That wasn’t the goal all along, but we started talking about it. It’s almost impossible for somebody that doesn’t inherit land or business to get started, so if it is something you’re interested in you have to talk about it. We could work toward a plan. It took a lot of hard conversations. If both parties can come together – a farm seeker and a person that’s trying to get out of business – to create a plan, I think that’s the best route.”

Farm owners should be willing to share their intentions, too.

“Sometimes people give some of these younger folks seeking a farm a false impression that they’re willing to sell when they really just want farm labor,” Blackmon says. “If you just want somebody to manage your place, be up front and say you’re not interested in selling. Then let them decide if they want to work for you.”

Recognize the value of mentorship in agriculture.

“Mentors are the foundation for the agricultural business,” Isaac says. “In Aaron’s case, he was not exposed to any kind of agricultural activity for two generations, other than just the backyard little farm.”

Working together allowed Blackmon and the Singletarys to get to know each other and build trust.

“We knew Aaron from the time he was 16, which made a great big difference,” Nina says. “He wasn’t somebody off the street who wanted to buy the farm. We knew him. We knew he would work hard and accomplish his goals.”

Create opportunities to gain experience when stakes are lower.

After working for Singletarys for a few years, Blackmon had the chance to manage one of the hog barns himself.

“It was a good entry into making business transactions. People can start acting funny when it comes to money,” Blackmon says. “Having the opportunity to rent land or equipment on a small scale is a good way to start. Isaac paid all the expenses up front, and we just settled in the end. I didn’t get paid until the end because that’s how farming is.”

Understand the time, resources and sweat equity owners put into their farms.

“I know the sacrifices Isaac and Nina made to buy and build that place, the times they went without, trying to stretch $1 just so that they can get to the point they are now,” Blackmon says. “They are secure in their retirement and still have inheritance for the next generation. I can appreciate the hard work they put into the farm.”

Because of the trust they had built through the years, the Singletarys knew Blackmon’s intentions were sincere.

“I’m not going to sell the farm and develop it,” Blackmon says. “They knew I was in it because I loved it, and I love them. They knew that I wouldn’t do anything that would hurt their legacy.”

Be patient.

“It takes time to build trust, and it takes time to have those conversations,” Blackmon says. “You’re not going to hash it all out in one conversation and expect them to sign a contract with you, then everything’s going to be ok.”

Blackmon says to set realistic expectations for making progress.

“We see a lot of people getting into business, and it seems like they go from like 10 acres to 2,000 acres overnight. And it’s just not that simple; it takes time to get there,” he adds. “I’m a very patient person for the most part and feel like things are going to work out the way they are meant to be.”

Prepare for the future now.

At only 29 years old, Blackmon doesn’t have a family or heirs yet, but he is making preparationsto ensure the farm remains viable and is hopeful he’ll be able to pass it down.

“Purchasing the farm is one thing, but there’s a lot of other stuff to think about,” he explains. “There are tax implications, accounts to create, liability and legal aspects to consider, and working with a lawyer who understands what you are trying to accomplish. I’m glad I had that mentorship and hope to be able to do that for somebody else, whether it’s my kids or someone else.”

Your next read: Beyond Bloodlines: How One Farmer Earned His Legacy

If I Could Turn Back Time: Farmers Open Up About Learning Life Lessons the Hard Way

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:54:55 GMT

Time is a great teacher. As we age, lessons are learned, perspective is gained and experience is accumulated that makes us more receptive, understanding and humble. When it comes to farming and agriculture, these industry leaders and livestock producers open up about advice they wish they could give their younger self.

“Make plans but learn to pivot and realize that failure is not the end all, be all. It’s nothing to be afraid of. Failure is the way that you learn, and you just keep going. The only failure is when you stop trying. I think in our younger years, we’re so afraid to fail that we just don’t try. I think especially as young women, we get in there and we’ve always done things the right way. We feel like if we screw up, it’s going to affect everything. That stops us from trying things that are new or scary.” – Jackie Ponder, Indiana pork producer

“One of the things that I’ve learned the hard way, and I wish I had taken a little more time earlier on to practice, is taking the time to appreciate and build personal relationships. I’m a very task-focused individual. For me, once I can get through one step, I’m thinking about how I check the box on the next step. I want to get projects to completion so I can feel that rewarding sensation at the end. If I could talk to my younger self, I’d say slow down a little bit and appreciate all the conversations, especially when it comes to relating to peers, coworkers, family and other people who are important in your life. I probably didn’t fully appreciate that when I was younger, and now looking back, I’ve struggled with certain individuals in my professional career that I wish I could have done over. I learned that if I had taken a little more time to think about what I could learn from others, rather than moving on to the next task of what I needed to accomplish, I think my path would have been a little easier than what I made for myself.” – Josh Maschhoff, Illinois pork producer

“One the first things I would tell my younger self is to surround myself with really good people, listen to them and ask them the right questions. It will save you a lot of mistakes over your life. I’d also tell myself that words do matter. Work on your communication skills to be a strong leader, whether it’s for your family or your business or even the National Pork Board. You’ve got to communicate well so people trust you, they understand you, and they want to work with you. That will take you a long way in life to learn those skills.” – Al Wulfekuhle, Iowa pork producer

“As a 20 year old, don’t be afraid of risk. This is the time when you don’t have a lot of equity built and so go forth and try to live your dreams and to find what you really want to do — be that in agriculture, or be it in something else ... don’t have paralysis by analysis, don’t let someone else diminish your dream because they don’t have the vision that you might have.” – Eric Smith, Alabama beef producer

“You’re going to mess up and it’s going to be okay, and you’re going to learn from that. We’re all in such a hurry to to get to where we think we’re going, and, actually it is the whole process of getting there is when we learn. Some of my biggest lessons were from mistakes that I made. And, and I thank my father for letting me make some of those ... things aren’t going to go perfectly. I mean, whether it’s the weather or the markets or or breeding decision, and that’s okay. That’s all part of the journey. I think if we stay disciplined and learn from our challenges, that’s what makes us better and makes us, you know, pay attention, calm down and and stick to the basics to be able to make things better as we go forward.” – Mark Gardiner, Kansas beef producer

“We all have to make decisions, and whether we’re farming or in the business world, you can make a good decision, but your intentions may be totally wrong. That’s where the importance of a mission, vision and core values come into play. Core values and vision help pull together the intentions around all the decisions that you have to make, whether it’s personal or in the business world. It helps you make sure that you stay true. When I was a youngster, I made a lot of decisions that were a good idea, but I did not have the right intentions about how I was going to treat people, how I was going to take care of the profitability and those sorts of things. I believe that if I would have focused on my mission, vision and core values more as a young person, I would have made better decisions and helped more people through the career that I’ve enjoyed.” – Bob Ruth, Pennsylvania pork producer

“I always thought if you worked really hard, you would be rewarded for your hard work. And I do still believe that that’s true, but I think that was too humble of an approach to my younger self. I believe now, looking back, I needed to be more of my own advocate. Because if I didn’t believe in myself, I don’t know why I expected anyone else to believe in me. Being your own advocate and then with that, making your own way is something I wish I could tell my 20-something self.” – Trish Cook, Iowa pork producer

“For a lot of people, when they’re younger, they tend to think that they’ve got a lot to offer. Quite frankly, one of the biggest mistakes I made is that I always looked to surround myself with people who were like me or agreed with me. There’s a lot of shortcomings I have, and I’ve learned I need to leverage the strengths of others. The last thing that we want to do is look for clones or somebody who’s just like us or thinks just like us. We will be better if we surround ourselves with people who have different viewpoints and different abilities. Had I appreciated that more when I was younger, that would have benefited me so much. I’m not saying I don’t have room for growth yet today, but in hindsight, I wish I would have been more open to people challenging me, rather than thinking that I had the answers. The older I get, the more I realize how little I really know. It took me a while to admit that I don’t have all the answers.” – Dwight Mogler, Iowa pork producer

Your Next Read: Quiet Crisis, Unfolding Rapidly: Big Questions Remain For Next Gen Farmers

Future of U.S. Red Meat: Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain?

Wed, 07 May 2025 20:26:06 GMT

The fallout from China’s decision to cancel 12,300 metric tons of U.S. pork produced for China has resulted in a massive ripple effect across the entire red meat industry.

“There’s a lot of moving parts with this whole situation with China,” Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) told AgriTalk’s Chip Flory. “First of all, there’s a lot of jostling that goes on in a normal environment from one week to the next. So, that in and of itself is not that abnormal.”

But we all know there’s a lot going on right now when it comes to tariffs. With an inbound duty of 172% on U.S. pork going into China, and beef not much better at 147%, business is shut off for all practical purposes.

“Part of that jostling on the reports has to do with the question of will the vessels arrive in time before the magic date where the duties go even higher?” Halstrom says. “We’re in a situation that’s extremely volatile, but for all practical purposes on pork and beef, the business that was going into China has now been deployed and diverted to other markets or even here to our domestic market.”

Do We Need China?
Halstrom says it’s not easy to move pork and beef variety meats . Although some of that product can be diverted to other markets like Mexico, which is the second largest market for U.S. pork variety meats, there’s still some cuts like hind feet that don’t have a destination anywhere else — and certainly not at the price that China pays.

“The overriding problem a lot of people forget about is, ‘Yeah, you might be able to sell a lot of this product somewhere else, but the price will be lower.’ The reason it’s lower is you’ve got one of the major buyers in the global market that’s not on the playing field,” Halstrom says. “Any time you have less buyers, your price is going to be lower. And that’s what we’re dealing with today on a variety of products.”

Global demand for U.S. red meat has never been better – even in China, Halstrom adds.

“The problem in China has nothing to do with demand for U.S. beef and pork,” he says. “This is a political situation. What we’re picking up (we don’t have any inside track knowledge here), is if it was up to the trade, business would be going today because the trade is demanding our product. They do not want shortages of food in general, specifically protein.”

In that regard, Halstrom says the U.S. has some leverage. He believes there is a real effort taking place to get things improved from where they are today. And from his perspective, that couldn’t come fast enough.

Can Mexico Save Us?
Flory points out how a tomato trade issue with Mexico could turn into an issue for meat producers.

“Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum says if there are tariffs on tomatoes from Mexico into the U.S., she might be targeting chicken and pork,” Flory says.

Halstrom explains this is tough news for the U.S. pork industry as Mexico is its largest market by far, making up about 30% of its global exports and bringing in over $2.6 billion last year.

“We do have a little bit of history here,” he says. “Back in 2018, we went about 10 months where Mexico had put an incremental duty of 20% on U.S. pork cuts. By our estimation, that cost the industry easily at least $1 billion in lost revenue.”

Chad Leman, an Illinois pig farmer, told Flory in AgriTalk’s Farmer Forum on May 7 that the U.S. can’t let this happen again.

“Just think what a BLT sandwich is going to be if we keep arguing about bacon and tomatoes? We can’t mess with this,” Leman says. “In all seriousness, we’ve got a couple of months to work this out.”

Leman says we can’t afford to mess with exports to Mexico when it comes to pork, and Halstrom couldn’t agree more.

One difference between what happened in 2018 and what’s happening today is that there’s a new competitor in the wings: Brazil.

“Today, Brazil has a zero-duty agreement with Mexico,” Halstrom says. “They do not have a free-trade agreement, but they do have a zero-duty on pork going into Mexico. I cannot overstate the importance of this threat in this regard.”

But both Leman and Halstrom say the positive is that President Sheinbaum has been collaborative, pragmatic and calm through it all. They are optimistic agreement can happen.

U.S. Red Meat Can Win
“The heavy lifting is being done,” Leman says. “I know it’s concerning to a number of farmers, but it’s nice to have trade back in the national conversation. We haven’t had any trade talks for the last number of years, and now we’re talking trade again. As always with this administration, there’s a lot of noise trying to figure out where it’s headed. But, that also brings some volatility to these markets, which, if played correctly, can be beneficial to us.”

There’s no question the potential is there, Halstrom says. It may be rocky at the moment, but he believes the outcome could be positive.

“If we were on a level playing field with all these countries, we wouldn’t know what to do with all the business,” Halstrom says. “I’m not just speaking for us, but for agriculture in general. The potential is phenomenal, but it is pretty volatile at the moment while we wait.”

Your next read: Panic Slowly: China’s Cancellation of 12,000 Tons of U.S. Pork Sends Loud Message

Dan Hoge Opens Up About 55-Year Career Training Future Stock Show Judges

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:45:28 GMT

What will the champions in the show ring look like in five years? That’s a question Dan Hoge, one of the winningest livestock judging coaches in history, thinks about constantly. Trends come and trends go. It’s not easy to stay relevant while being nimble enough to see what’s coming and evolve to get there.

But Hoge’s ability to do just that as a coach, judge and breeder for decades is what sets him apart from others, says Blake Bloomberg, professor and head livestock judging team coach at Black Hawk College East Campus.

“Dan has been at the top of his profession for over 50 years, and is still sought after for his input,” Bloomberg adds. “His impact on his students and his influence beyond the classroom is undeniable.”

Hoge says his interest and passion in the livestock industry keeps him constantly learning and searching for what’s next. He’s an avid scholar – always reading about livestock, studying photos of champions and talking about trends in the industry with people he admires.

“The miles never made any difference to me,” Hoge says. “If there was a symposium going on or if Dr. Harlan Ritchie was speaking about the cattle industry, I found a way to be there. I pay attention to what legendary breeders like Chuck Olson and Earl Cain are doing in the swine industry. Of course, there are always new breeders coming along who are going to dictate, to a necessary extent, where the industry will go next.”

At the end of the day, good livestock will always be in vogue, he says. There will be changes in priorities. Trends will shift. But the best stockmen are open-minded and always looking to see what is coming in the future. He believes the ability to evaluate livestock and read differences in phenotype is essential to it all.

What Coaching Is and What It’s Not
That’s why coaching young adults in livestock judging has been Hoge’s passion .What’s the secret to his coaching success? He says there’s no curriculum to teach you how to be a livestock judging coach, it’s a lot of learning as you go and caring about who you coach.

“Coaching is 80% what’s in your heart and 20% what’s in your mind,” Hoge says. “It’s really believing in the young people who are involved in your program. It’s reaching out and knowing their goals, interests and expectations.”

Dan Hoge’s ability to connect with every audience is one of greatest strengths.

(Jennifer Shike)

Livestock judging is a very inexact art, he points out. It is not a science, it’s a skill developed over time that is subject to the opinion of someone else.

“It’s important the student feels good about themselves at every step of their development,” he says. “It’s about inching along and making progress.”

When it comes to coaching kids to excel in livestock judging competitions, Hoge believes in helping young people finish strong.

“It’s not a question of where you start, it’s a question of where you finish,” Hoge says. “That has always been the mindset I have instilled in our student judges over the years. It’s one of the real values you can take with you in life.”

When You Step Out into the Ring
There’s no shortage of ways to use the skills developed judging livestock and describing them, Hoge adds. For many young people he mentors, their end goal is to judge a livestock show.

Dan Hoge at the Oklahoma Youth Expo

(Oklahoma Youth Expo)

“I remind young judges that every show is important, regardless of how small it may be,” Hoge says. “If there are two head of livestock at an event, that’s a livestock show. Go give it your best.”

As livestock judging has grown in popularity and more contests have popped up across the country, the level of talent has grown, too.

“I often tell our younger judging generation that, believe me, no one is interested in how smart you are and how poor their livestock are,” Hoge says. “They’re interested in your positivity, how you work with the youth, and how you make sure every youth involved in that show felt they had a fair look and an opportunity to feel good about their project and themselves. I don’t know if we have enough of that today.”

He reminds young judges to stop and take a breath before they step out of their vehicle when they arrive at a show.

“Ask yourself, ‘Why am I here?’” Hoge says. “The smartest thing you can do as a show judge at a county fair, and I’ve judged many, is study the atmosphere as you walk to the show ring. When you walk into that ring and meet the superintendents for the first time, that awareness of the atmosphere will provide a pretty good handle on what the show is going to be like.”

The most important thing a show judge brings to any event is their opinion and comfort in knowing what they are looking for in a champion. Although judges can only use what’s brought to them to evaluate, knowing where you want to finish is necessary, Hoge adds.

The little things matter, he says, from how you speak to people working in the ring to how you connect with the crowd. Judges have the opportunity to serve as another bridge between the showmen and their projects and the spectators.

“You can’t expect the urban sector to understand the care and management people put into their livestock or how great of a life their show livestock have,” Hoge says. “When you judge or show livestock, make a commitment to do things right and always be a voice of positivity in the industry. Be proud of what we do.”

Go watch The PORK Podcast Episode 17 with Dan Hoge to learn more about his perspective on the misconceptions people have about the stock show industry today, what he’s most proud of in his life, teaching students for 55 years and counting, and how he anticipates the livestock industry changing in the future.

Your Next Read: Thank You Mr. Hoge

New Food Security and Farm Protection Act Protects Farmers and Consumers From Government Overreach

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:24:08 GMT

After the U.S. Supreme Court left an open invitation for Congress to strike down California’s Proposition 12, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) says it’s time to end this “unjustified and burdensome regulatory overreach” in order to protect family farms and bring down prices for U.S. consumers.

On April 8, Ernst and fellow Senate Agriculture Committee members Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced The Food Security and Farm Protection Act that prohibits any state or local government from interfering with commerce and agricultural practices in another state outside their jurisdiction.

“Proposition 12 is dangerous and arbitrary overregulation that stands in direct opposition to the livelihoods of Iowa pork producers, increases costs for both farmers and consumers, and jeopardizes our nation’s food security,” Ernst says. “I’m proud to be leading the charge to strike down this harmful measure and will keep fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know best – not liberal California activists – are heard.”

Pig Farmers Speak Out
This policy averts a disastrous patchwork of contradictory state-by-state farm regulations that would hit hardest small and medium-sized pork producers, says National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio.

“U.S. pork producers have just suffered the worst 18 months of financial losses in history, and many farm families are contemplating whether they can pass along their farm to the next generation,” Stateler says. “We urge the Senate to take up this legislation immediately to provide us much-needed relief.” Learn more about Stateler’s story here.

Without certainty from the Food Security and Farm Protection Act , NPPC says there will be many consequences, including:

Widespread, damaging consequences for farmers and consumers alike.
Significant fees forced on producers to pay for outside regulators to audit their farms due to the whims of consumers outside their state’s borders.
Risk of putting farm families out of business by significantly increasing the cost of raising pigs.
Increased prices at the grocery store , as much as 41% for certain pork products.

A Dangerous Patchwork of Regulations
For reasons like these and more, bipartisan support for providing relief from a patchwork of state laws continues to grow with support from President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, and their respective Agriculture Secretaries Brooke Rollins and Tom Vilsack, NPPC said in a release.

“The United States is constantly faced with non-tariff trade barriers from protectionist countries, which hurts American agriculture’s access to new markets. The last thing we need is for states like California imposing its will on ag-heavy states like Kansas with regulations that will also restrict our ability to trade among the states,” Marshall says. “Midwest farmers and ranchers who produce our nation’s food supply should not be hamstrung by coastal activist agendas that dictate production standards from hundreds of miles away.”

And it’s not just the pork industry rallying around this legislation.

“Iowa soybean farmers are grateful for Senator Ernst’s leadership to address challenges Prop 12 creates for Iowa farmers,” says Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer, Brent Swart. “Not only do the increased costs of compliance threaten to put pork farmers out of business, Prop 12 increases the price of pork at the grocery store by as much as 40%. Higher prices for pork dampen demand for this high-quality protein which negatively impacts market demand for soybeans used for pig feed. This legislation gives us a chance to protect our farms, our livelihoods, and ultimately, families that need affordable food.”

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President, Rob Medberry, points out that the Iowa Cattle industry has made it clear that government overreach and overregulation is incredibly burdensome to industries that provide safe, quality and sustainable products for the world.

“Proposition 12 has the potential to further dismantle the livestock industry with the lack of science-based measures. Proposition 12 has already proven to be an unfunded mandate with consumers unwilling to pay premiums for the products that must be compliant with the proposition,” Medberry says. “The inherent cost to become compliant is overbearing and the simple fact of dollars and cents does not add up.”

Opponents Strike Back
Opposition such as the Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, argue against this legislation.

“This bill would hand over sweeping power to a narrow segment of the agriculture industry, overriding the will of voters, dismantling state laws and eliminating hard-won voter-supported protections for the humane treatment of farm animals, food safety and farm workers,” says Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “Let’s be clear: this is a federal overreach that serves Big Pork, not the American people.”

Amundson claims this legislation has been driven by a small group of pork industry lobbyists.

It’s Not Just About Pigs
But Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Stu Swanson disagrees.

“With barriers like Proposition 12 cutting off our ability to supply fellow Americans with Iowa grown pork, it’s not only those families who are being affected, but also our farm families here in Iowa,” Swanson points out.

Iowa Turkey Federation Executive Director Gretta Irwin adds that these inconsistencies create unnecessary burdens for farmers operating across state lines, hinder efficient production, and undermine well-established, science-based practices developed in coordination with industry experts.

Swanson says this is an issue for all of agriculture and one his organization plans to continue to work on with their livestock partners until it gets resolved.

“Consistent with its authorities under the Commerce Clause, it’s time for Congress to solve this problem by passing legislation,” Grassley says. “Our bill will end California’s war on breakfast and make sure delicious Iowa pork can be sold everywhere.”

Stay up to date on Prop 12 here.

Millennials and Protein Craze Boost Meat Sales to Record High

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:41:04 GMT

Despite the extreme inflationary pressure on income now, consumers continue to lean into their love for meat in 2024.

“2024 was the strongest year on record for meat, with growth for beef and chicken, pork, lamb had a really good year, bison, veal, you name it,” says Anne-Marie Roerink, owner of 210 Analytics, who conducted the 2024 Power of Meat study . “It was just an all-around fantastic year, and it really underscored that despite consumers having that pressure on income and being in the non-stop balancing act on what to spend their money on, meat won one big.”

How Did Meat Win?
When times are tough, people start to cook at home more often, Roerink says. A part of the dollar that came out of food service restaurants went into the retail grocery store space. She says part of the dollar might end up back at restaurants. But, that’s not a bad thing for the meat industry. The balance between retail and restaurants tends to be a good thing.

“For years, we worried about whether millennials were going to be meat and poultry consumers like the generations before them. The answer is a resounding yes,” Roerink says.

Millennials, especially the older half of this age group, are starting to come into their income potential.

“Many millennials now have children,” she adds. “And those children are starting to be the age where you think you go to the grocery store for the entire week, and about two days later, your pantry, fridge and freezer are empty.”

The retail meat industry sold 500 million more packages in 2024 than they did in 2023. Roerink says 62% of that 500 million-package growth was driven by millennials.

“That’s been a key finding for all of us,” she says. “Millennials do approach meat and poultry a little bit differently, so that’s going to mean more change in years to come.”

Another reason why the meat industry is doing so well is Americans’ massive focus on protein.

“If you walk around the store, from your mac and cheese to your Skippy peanut butter, protein call-outs are everywhere,” Roerink explains. “But at the same time, this is going hand in hand with some people saying, ‘I want fewer ingredients in the things that I buy. I want a more natural form of food.’ That combined focus on protein with more wholesome foods has really put meat and poultry back into driver’s seats as well.”

What Do Millennials Really Want?
Roerink says millennials are focused on convenience more than ever. This is largely attributed to their life stage – running around and balancing time between family and work like generations before them.

“They have more focus on sustainability and animal welfare,” she adds. “With their approach and values relative to meat and poultry, I think we’re going to see some different needs in terms of transparency. They truly do want to hear from the producers. They want to understand what kind of life the animal had, how you approach water management and everything else.”

She says it may sound crazy, but consumers do want to know how their food is produced. And if they don’t hear it from the producer, they may dream up their own descriptions, she points out.

“Often times when we think about our meat category, we use industry terms. We approach it from a scientific angle,” Roerink says. “This means nothing to consumers. They want to know more, but we need to speak in a language that makes sense to those consumers.”

Your Next Read: Consumer Meat Sales Are Higher Than Ever

Proactive Strategies for Managing Increased Mycotoxin Risk

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:29:10 GMT

Mycotoxins are natural substances produced by molds and fungi and are more prevalent in agriculture now more than ever before, according to 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis released by Alltech. More than 95% of crops today are contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, and often with two or more. Mycotoxins are are difficult to detect and can cause significant damage to animal health before producers even realize their presence.

The comprehensive report determined the combination of heavy early-season rains and late-season droughts has created distinct challenges for crop producers in the United States and indicated that overall risk is moderate to high.

“The trend for corn grain and corn silage is somewhat higher across all regions of the U.S. than it was for 2023,” says Dr. Max Hawkins, global technical support for the Technology Group at Alltech. “This increase in risk is due to the occurrence and levels of type B trichothecenes primarily, but zearalenone and fumonisins are also included in the increase, particularly in the Eastern U.S. The result is an increased pressure on animal health and performance that producers will need to monitor moving forward to maintain a proactive mycotoxin management program.”

What can producers do to manage and mitigate mycotoxin risk?

Learn which mycotoxins pose the highest risk to specific regions, crops and species.
Test and monitor: Regularly test crops and feed to understand what’s present and to ensure high quality.
Leverage weather data: Pay attention to weather patterns and farm-specific conditions to assess potential risks early.
Use comprehensive information: Gather unbiased data from all aspects of your operation and tailor it to fit your specific needs.
Combine methods: Utilize both traditional techniques and new technologies to refine processes and ensure feed quality.
Act proactively: If mycotoxins are present, be proactive with management to ensure high-quality feed production, thus protecting animals and safeguarding your operation’s resilience and success.

Key points included in the analysis include:

Corn silage

The Upper Midwest showed higher risk due to DON than in 2023, while other regions showed a similar risk to 2023. Emerging mycotoxins and Type B trichothecenes had the highest prevalence.

Corn

The risk from corn grain is primarily DON and fumonisins. The risk in the East is similar to 2023, while the risk in the Midwest is greater than 2023, particularly for monogastrics.

The final mycotoxin risk will ultimately depend on the animal species and groups being fed and the mycotoxin concentrations and combinations in the finished diet, according to the report.

Testing includes samples of new-crop grains and forages collected from farms or animal feed production sites across the country, ensuring an accurate picture of mycotoxin contamination. All samples are tested at the leading-edge Alltech 37+® lab, which can detect the presence of 54 mycotoxins.

Take the Stress Out of Social Media: Navigate Detractors

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:56:23 GMT

Have you ever wanted to post on social media but were worried about potential backlash? You want to share your farm, but are worried about receiving potentially negative comments about sow housing? Maybe you are worried about getting tough questions about the use of hormones or antibiotics when it comes to feeding your animals or treating them for illnesses?

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common for farmers, veterinarians and others in the ag community advocating for animal agriculture on social media. Negative comments have the potential to steer the conversation down an unproductive path. However, if you know how to handle contentious issues online then you can help people understand the animal agriculture community’s commitment to animal care, responsible antibiotic use, sustainability and other core values.

Before deciding how (and if) to respond to comments, take a deep breath and ask yourself a few key questions:

1. Is the comment relevant or is it completely off-topic?

2. Who has made the comments? Are they genuinely curious or are they a known extreme animal rights activist?

3. Consider, “Is it possible they have a different perspective?” or “Is there something that could have shaped this person’s opinion?”

4. Will responding to the comment help other people who will read your response?

If the person has left a completely irrelevant comment, don’t feel obligated to respond. If the comment included offensive remarks, feel confident in hiding the comment or blocking the person from commenting again. Remember, your social media page is your space, and you can set community guidelines.

Depending on who has left the comment can determine how you respond. By clicking on the commentor’s profile you can quickly learn if their comments come from a place of true concern and interest, like a parent concerned about feeding his or her children safe, nutrient-dense foods, or potentially an animal rights extremist with no intention of having a productive conversation about animal agriculture.

If you have concluded that the commenter is likely not open to having a dialogue, still ask yourself if responding to the comment will help others understand your perspective. Social media is a very public space and there are many more people reading your posts and comment sections than actually engaging.

Once you have asked yourself these questions and have decided that responding is your next step, look for common ground on a related topic – such as food safety and family values. Before jumping into the safety and animal welfare benefits of using antibiotics, validate their concerns and offer empathy. Then, ask permission to share your personal experience with using antibiotics on the farm. If the conversation is going well, follow up with the science and offer resources or other people to follow on social media if they are interested in learning more.

Most importantly, know that you can always ask for help. Bring in your friends who also have experience responding to contentious issues, reach out to your local partners, or the Animal Agriculture Alliance to help you moderate difficult conversations.

This is just a preview of the content and training available in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Animal Ag Allies program. To sign up to become an Animal Ag Ally, go to and fill out the interest form to join our next class!

Your Next Read: Build Your Team Across the Entire Supply Chain

CoBank: Policy Will Shape Rural Economy In The Year Ahead

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:41:33 GMT

CoBank has released its 2025 outlook report , which outlines the key themes the organization expects to shape agriculture and the rural economy in the coming year. While there are several factors to watch, they mainly stem from one place: federal policy.

“The environment we enter in 2025 hasn’t fully defined itself yet, but many of the policies proposed by the incoming administration would likely have a negative impact on U.S. agriculture,” said Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “Open access to export markets and labor availability are critically important for agricultural producers and processors. Depending on how policy plays out, those two areas could be big challenges in 2025 and beyond.”

As a new economic era begins, here are the six main forces at play:

Threat of A Trade War
A large focus of President-elect Trump’s campaign was on significant import tariffs. While we don’t know exactly what this policy would look like, it is unlikely to produce a positive outcome for crop or livestock producers.

Fox writes, “These policies could achieve some limited objectives, but it is very hard to paint them as anything but negative for the U.S. farm economy.”

If a trade war was to ensue, it could also be very costly for agriculture. A recent joint study by the national corn and soybean associations estimates the 2018-19 trade war with China cost the U.S. a total of $27 billion in agricultural sales to China over those two years.

Export Competition
Alongside the potential for a trade war, export competition from Russia and South America poses another treat.

According to the report, Russia’s currency is weakening - which is expected to anchor global wheat prices and allow Russia’s wheat to be more competitive.

At the same time, Brazil’s currency is also weakening and exports from the country will be cheaper than those from the U.S. This is coupled with the forecast of record South American corn and soybean crops.

With an abundance of soybeans globally, CoBank is anticipating many U.S. acres to shift from soybeans to corn this year as well.

Labor Challenges
Another likely outcome of the upcoming Trump administration is a decreased labor supply.

The president-elect has proposed deportation and reduced immigration, which could negatively impact the dairy, meatpacking and produce industries by causing labor shortages and driving up costs.

Livestock Sector Investment and Growth
It’s not all bad news for the dairy industry, though. According to the report, the U.S. will see an unprecedented $8 billion in new dairy processing investment through 2026 - and some of those plants will come online in 2025.

The livestock sector as a whole is benefiting from low feed costs, and specifically in the beef industry, a reduced herd size is supporting higher feeder and fed cattle values.

The USDA Economic Research Service projects per capita consumption of chicken, beef, pork and turkey to remain stable or grow up to 2% from 2024 to 2025.

It’s important to note, however, there could be retaliation from potential tariffs placed on major dairy export customers such as Mexico and China.

Tight Margins
Reduced income and tighter margins for the crop industry are expected to continue in 2025.

CoBank anticipates input decisions being driven largely by what provides the greatest return on investment, and farmers may look to switch chemicals to generics.

During this time, it will be critical for ag retailers to provide tailored agronomic advice and technical assistance.

Biofuel Uncertainty
On the biofuel front, headwinds are expected to continue into 2025 - with the Trump administration adding more regulatory uncertainty.

Projections of note include:

A modest increase in biofuel production next year, although ethanol supplies will maintain 2024 production levels of 1.05 million barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Renewable diesel production capacity will grow just 100 million gallons from 2024 to 2025 to a total of 5.2 billion and remain steady through 2026, according to an updated analysis from University of Illinois.
Federal and state tax incentives and low carbon fuel policies will drive the future viability of sustainable aviation fuel.

To read the full report from CoBank, click here .

USDA Awards $140 Million to Support American Farms and Businesses

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 22:05:55 GMT

During a visit to Dramm Corp. on Oct. 30, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments that will strengthen American farms and businesses. Torres Small says the funding will expand innovative domestic fertilizer production and increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, which will in turn increase competition and lower fertilizer costs for farmers and food costs for consumers.

USDA announced $20.2 million in awards to 26 projects through the Local Meat Capacity (Local MCap) grant program to expand processing capacity within the meat and poultry industry. This will add new jobs to their local communities and provides producers more options to ensure their products get to market, USDA noted.

USDA is also awarding $120 million to fund six fertilizer production projects in Arkansas, California, Illinois, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), which is funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation and provides funding to independent business owners to help them modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, build production plants and more, the release said.

“When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” Torres Small said in a release. “Through today’s investments to make more fertilizer and process meat locally, the Biden-Harris Administration is bringing jobs back to the United States, lowering costs for families, and supporting farmer income.”

Local Meat Capacity Grants
This final set of awards through Local MCap is for both Simplified Equipment Only and Processing Expansion project types. Two additional projects (totaling $7.8 million), which have been selected to move forward, are in final review with USDA, the release said.

This final set of awards for simplified equipment and processing expansion covers projects in 21 states for processing equipment such as meat grinders, stuffers and smokers. Processing Expansion projects increase processing or rendering capacity through activities including facility upgrades, equipment purchases and training.

Here are some examples of funded projects:

Haen Meats in northeastern Wisconsin, will use funding to purchase new equipment, including stuffers, hanging lines, three truck smokehouses, automatic grinders, and energy-saving cooling mixers. These upgrades will boost their processing capacity, engage an additional 121 local producers, and create 12 new jobs, further supporting the local community.
Granite State Packing, Inc., located in the Connecticut River Valley, N.H., is receiving a Local MCap grant to purchase new slaughter, cutting, and packaging equipment. This will increase the business’ pork slaughter and processing capacity, benefitting 100 local producers and increase the availability of local pork products. Additionally, 15 new jobs will be created.
Montana Premium Processing Cooperative in Hill County, Mont., provides critical tribal slaughter support and regional employment opportunities. Using Local MCap funding, the cooperative will boost production capacity by 225% and invest in new equipment including hoists, vacuum sealers, a bandsaw, and steel containers which will enhance both production efficiency and quality control.

The first round of funding was announced in March 2024, and a second round of funding was announced in July 2024. With today’s announcement, USDA has funded a total of 97 projects for $55.8 million through Local MCap. The program is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and is authorized by the American Rescue Plan.

Your Next Read: What 4 Food Influencers Really Think About Pork

How to Store Manure on a Small Farm

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:29:30 GMT

By Sarah Fronczak, Michigan State University Extension
(Updated from an original article written by Shelby Bollwahn.)

Small farms can choose to spread or store manure. Most small livestock or horse farms are handling solid manures usually with some form of bedding – straw, wood shavings, sawdust, etc. Rather than collect the manure and bedding daily, load it in a spreader and spread it on cropland, hay land or pasture, farmers may choose to store the manure until a time when it can be spread or hauled away. Options for storage include stockpiling, dry stacking, composting, liquid storage or hauling away. The goal of proper manure storage on all farms should be to minimize nuisance issues like pests and aesthetics and environmental impacts on water and air quality. Michigan State University Extension recommends that small farms keep in mind the following principles when planning or maintaining their manure storages.

Principles of Manure Storage
1. Keep the clean water clean – divert rooftop or surface runoff away from manure storage.
2. Treat the dirty water – use of vegetated filter strips.
3. Store the manure out of a flood hazard area.
4. Store the manure where it is easily accessible to load and unload.
5. Avoid steep slopes when deciding the location of your storage area.
6. Have a nutrient management plan.

Storing Manure on Small Farms – Solid Storage
Stockpiling manure is essentially piling solid manure and soiled livestock or horse bedding in a convenient location that align with the recommendations in the Manure GAAMPs. It is an acceptable method to store manure on small farms. The base soil of the pile must be compacted and sealed to prevent manure nutrients from leaching into the soil profile. Clay soils are an excellent base for piles as opposed to sandy soils which allow nutrients to leach through. The loading area should be firm to prevent rutting in wet periods (rainfall events or spring thaws). There should be a very slight slope (1-3%) to allow the pile to drain toward a vegetated filter strip. Using a plastic tarp to cover the stockpile will help to reduce odor and pests. It also reduces the concern for leaching as it prevents rainwater from contacting and soaking through the pile. Compared to all other storage methods, stockpiling is the lowest cost option.

Dry stacking manure is the most common and most practical method of manure storage for small livestock or horse operations. The key components of a dry stack facility are the impervious floor, and three walls used to contain the manure. A poured concrete floor is an excellent example of an impervious floor. The floor should be slightly sloped for drainage towards a vegetated filter strip or sump. The walls of the facility should be a minimum of four feet high and small farm owners should consider the outward pressure on the walls from piled manure. The walls can be poured concrete, cinder block, horizontal or vertical timbers. It is also critical to secure anchoring for the facility below the frost line. The cost for this type of facility can be moderate.

Composting manure and bedding on small farms is gaining in popularity. One of the reasons for this is that the finished product of composting is crumbly, low in odor and resembles rich topsoil. It is a highly marketable product, popular with gardeners and landscapers. Composting reduces the amount of available nitrogen, kills pathogens, reduces the odor and reduces the volume of manure and bedding. Composting requires careful management to produce the final end product. An important management practice is tracking the temperature cycles of the compost piles. The center of the pile should reach 131 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for a minimum of 72 hours, which kills the pathogens and renders a relatively stable product. When the compost pile is properly mixed, or aerated, the manure compost can turn into a finished product in as little as six weeks. The cost of this method of storage can be moderate to high depending on the complexity of the facility. Get additional information on composting manure from the livestock and poultry environmental learning center.

Storing Manure on Small Farms – Liquid Storage
Liquid manure storage is used by many larger dairy or swine farms. Liquid manure is transferred or collected into a pit or lagoon structure. It may be mixed, pumped into manure spreading equipment and land applied. This form of manure storage is the most complex and expensive system. It is usually not practical for smaller livestock operations.

Storing Manure on Small Farms – Hauling Away
When manure storage availability is limited on a small farm there are still options available for producers. If the manure generated daily on the farm is small enough utilizing a small manure spreader as storage may be the right option for some farms. When the spreader is full simply hook up the tractor and spread on cropland or hay land according to a nutrient management plan. Another option may be to hire or contract with a certified manure hauler to come and remove the manure. Haulers may take the manure to a centralized composting facility or may spread the manure on farmland. It is important to remember that the manure will still need to be stored in between visits. The use of dumpsters, though expensive, may be a viable option when there is inadequate land for spreading or composting is not an option. Small farms may use dumpsters to store manure until it is removed. Dumpsters should be placed on an impervious surface such as concrete that may allow for collection of any liquids that leave the dumpster.

The last option for small farms is to consider marketing the manure or the compost. For more information about this check out this resource from MSU. Livestock or horse owners may give their composted or non-composted manure away for off-farm use. Gardeners are frequently willing to take composted manures. Crop farmers may be willing to spread the manure on their land during certain times of the year.

Your Next Read: Manure Pumping and Land Application Pose Risk of PRRS Spread

Port Strikes Will Have a Significant Impact on Meat Exports

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:25:32 GMT

Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance on a new labor agreement for port workers along the East and Gulf Coasts have stalled, increasing the potential for an Oct. 1 strike. Even though the majority of U.S. red meat exports flow out of the West Coast ports, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says a strike in the east and south would still have a significant impact on the industry.

Halstrom notes 45% of waterborne U.S. pork exports were shipped through the East and Gulf Coast ports through July, while the share of waterborne beef exports was 30%, based on USMEF’s calculations from PIERS data.

Top 10 Ports for U.S. Pork Exports

(PIERS/USMEF)

Top 10 Ports for U.S. Beef Exports

(PIERS/USMEF)

“A high percentage of chilled beef goes out from the East Coast, in particular for destinations like Europe and Middle East. So we can’t overstate the importance of the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, even though the West Coast is larger,” Halstrom says. “A very significant quantity is exported through the East and Gulf Coasts.”

Some of that traffic is already being re-routed through the West Coast ports, but there is not enough capacity to absorb all of the trade that would be impacted.

“Redirecting to the West Coast is a potential, very short-term solution, but it’s by no means a long-term solution at all, because it’s not just U.S. beef and pork. You’ve got all sorts of commodities that use these same ports. We’re challenged to export all of our product today using all the ports, so we cannot afford a shutdown in any part of the supply chain,” Halstrom continues.

USMEF and other organizations are urging the White House and Congress to do all in their power to bring the two sides back to the bargaining table to avoid a port shutdown.

“We need to get the White House or anyone else involved that can help to spur discussions to get back to the table and avoid any kind of interruption of service later this month,” Halstrom says.

Your Next Read: Chances of a Strike at East Coast and West Coast Ports are Growing; Here’s How it Could Impact Farmers

Renowned Scientist to Discuss Role of Livestock Production in Today’s Society

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 21:06:54 GMT

Scientist Peer Ederer, whose international company conducts research and communicates scientific evidence about the role of animals in the global food system, will be the featured speaker for the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture Oct. 7 at Kansas State University.

Ederer has been involved in scientific research in cooperation with leading universities around the world for more than two decades. In 2020, he formed the company GOALSciences – which stands for the Global Observatory of Accurate Livestock Sciences – to encourage accurate scientific data regarding livestock production around the world.

He is also a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers Organisation.

In 2022, Ederer was a driving force in developing the Dublin Declaration, a report drafted “to give voice to the many scientists around the world who research diligently, honestly and successfully in the various disciplines in order to achieve a balanced view of the future of animal agriculture.”

As of May, 1,204 scientists have signed their support for that document.

“The Dublin Declaration tried to achieve three things,” Ederer said. “First of all, as scientists, we wanted to ensure that when we talk about livestock, we are talking from all of its many perspectives; three of those perspectives are nutrition; environment and ecology; and then society and ethics.”

Each of the perspectives, he said, has many parts.

“In nutrition, you have negative impacts on health that food can have, but you also have the nourishing effects. In environment, we talk about biodiversity, water, land utilization and climate. And regarding society, we have economic, social and ethical issues.”

The other two achievements of the Dublin Declaration, Ederer said, is it asked policymakers to draw policy on the basis of scientific evidence – “not on the basis of scientists, not on what is said, Instead it is the scientific evidence that matters” – and secondly giving voice to scientists who are doing relevant work in studying livestock.

“The Dublin Declaration mobilized scientists around the world and gave them a voice,” Ederer said. “It tells them that they’re not the only one’s thinking about livestock. It gives the field (of animal research) the courage to know that there is a solid future for livestock in our societies.”

Ederer notes that establishing scientific basis for decisions regarding livestock production brings clearer understanding to arguments for reducing the consumption of meat.

“That line of thinking is being driven by arguments of health, environment and ethics,” he said.

He called arguments for eliminating red meat in a diet due to health concerns “bogus.”

“There’s just simply no scientific evidence. At the same time, we know of many health benefits, including nutrient density, protein density, bioavailability of amino acids and critical nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and more.”

Ederer said current science also disproves a commonly held belief that livestock production – particularly cattle production – increases the presence of carbon in the environment, ultimately contributing to climate change and global warming.

“The cow does emit methane, and that methane will deteriorate after some period of time in the atmosphere,” he said. “During that time period, while the carbon molecule is in the form of methane, rather than carbon dioxide, it is more climate active. So, for that short period of time, there is an additional warming impulse.”

But cattle and other ruminant animals are also directly and indirectly involved in storing carbon in soil by feeding on grasses and other carbon sources.

“These two factors need to be squared against each other,” Ederer said. “It turns out that in many cases, the carbon sequestration effect created by ruminants is higher or at least compensates for the short period of time that methane is in the air.”

Simply, he notes, “livestock do not create a significant net addition to carbon in the environment.”

Kansas State University established the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture series to provide science-based education about world food issues. The series allows students, faculty, staff and Kansas citizens to interact with U.S. and international food industry leaders on topics of current interest.

The lecture series is funded by the Gardiner family of Ashland, Kan. Henry C. Gardiner, who passed away just days before the first lecture in 2015, was known as a visionary leader who dedicated his career to improving the beef industry through science and technology.

Organizers are planning a day-long conference on Oct. 7 to commemorate the 10th year of the lecture series. The conference agenda and information on how to register is available online at https://www.k-state.edu/research/global-food/events/lecture-series .

Decision Tool Helps Livestock Producers with Disaster Assistance

Wed, 29 May 2024 20:51:20 GMT

When faced with the challenges of losing livestock to a natural disaster, producers have a new resource developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in partnership with FarmRaise, to help access available support.

This online Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) guides producers through the process to see if they qualify for assistance. This decision tool launched on May 28 as part of a broader disaster assistance program educational module. It expands the library of online FSA disaster and farm loan program resources and decision aids available to agricultural producers on the FarmRaise FSA educational hub. The Decision Tool is a resource only and is not an application for benefits or a determination of eligibility.

“The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program is our most flexible tool for dealing with natural disasters and other qualifying losses. As we continue to enhance this critical program, having the right tool to streamline application processes can expedite assistance,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says. “FarmRaise uses feedback from cooperators and producers to develop the tools they request to more easily navigate our programs, allowing them to maximize assistance available through FSA’s extensive program portfolio. This tool is the next iteration of this important work.” 

ELAP Fact Sheet

The FarmRaise educational hub provides videos, tools and interactive resources that enable USDA cooperators and agricultural producers to learn about and access major FSA programs.   

The ELAP Decision Tool helps with the following:
• Explains qualified natural disasters including drought, blizzards, disease, water shortages and wildfires, and more.
• Offers tips for record-keeping, loss documentation requirements and tracking steps needed before applying for program benefits.
• Creates a document generated by the ELAP Decision Tool to be used to support the ELAP application process. Producers will need to complete and submit the ELAP Application to their local FSA county office.

These categories of livestock losses are covered by ELAP.
• Grazing losses that are not due to drought or wildfires on federally managed lands
• Livestock feed losses caused by eligible loss condition that result in purchased or mechanically harvested feed being destroyed, additional feed purchased above normal, and additional cost of feed delivery
• Losses resulting from the additional cost of transporting water to livestock due to an eligible drought
• Losses resulting from above normal costs of hauling feed to livestock due to an eligible drought
• Losses resulting from above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other feeding location and back due to an eligible drought
• Losses resulting from the additional cost associated with gathering livestock for treatment and inspection related to cattle tick fever

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government.

LIP Fact Sheet

Livestock that may qualify for compensation through Livestock Indemnity Program

Navigating Structural Changes: Rabobank's Insights on Challenges and Opportunities in Global Animal Protein Markets

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:15:46 GMT

From pork to beef to poultry and all other animal protein sources, the diversity of animal protein options creates a dynamic marketplace across the globe.

Rabobank recently released its 2024 outlook for global animal protein —focused on animal protein markets and production throughout the world.

Production

Overall, Rabobank believes animal protein production will keep growing in 2024, but at a slower pace. Specifically, beef, pork and wild catch seafood will see a decrease in production, while poultry and aquaculture show the strongest growth.

Drought leading to a massive U.S. herd reduction , high input costs and low profit margins have played a large part in the production slowdown of beef and pork especially over the last two years.

Rebuilding the herd looks to still be an expectation—not reality—heading into 2024. This will continue beef’s production decline into next year.

Pork has been through a challenging year, and Rabobank expects production to contract modestly in 2024.

Finding a silver lining, Rabobank experts believe some market conditions may improve as input costs ease for producers.

Structural Changes

Some opportunities and risks may also be on the horizon as changes in market conditions are structural rather than cyclical—adding ongoing costs and changes, Rabobank explains.

Specifically, Rabobank encourages animal protein companies and producers to take stock on their strengths and prepare to transition their business to an operating environment with high costs and tight margins.

These structural changes include, but are not limited to:

- Demographic Changes: tightening labor markets which leads to increased production costs, reduced population growth which may slow consumption growth

- Investment Needs: funds to improve productivity and to upgrade production systems to meet emerging market and regulatory needs and consumer preferences

- Higher Prices: consumers are adapting to higher prices and are showing a willingness in some markets to pay a premium for better quality products

For animal protein companies and producers, now is the time to consider productivity improvement efforts, review the portfolio, strengthen partnerships, consider investment needs and opportunities, and adjust pricing strategies to the higher cost base.

Consumption

The increased costs of goods and services is weighing on consumers as incomes stagnate and a recessionary threat looms.

Rabobank expects inflation among the world’s top animal protein-consuming countries to average more than 3% next year, but that represents 15% to 20% higher costs compared to pre-pandemic levels, says the report.

Meanwhile, high production costs and tighter supplies will support animal protein prices and constrain global consumption in 2024, Rabobank explains.

Overall, consumer decisions at the meat case are shifting as budgets tighten, as well as more emphasis on food nutrition, quality and convenience helping sway purchasing patterns.

Outside Pressures

Disease, such as African swine fever (ASF) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), are major health challenges in global animal protein production that continue to drive production loss, create uncertainty and affect trade, Rabobank explains. While more localized, foot-and-mouth disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and lumpy skin disease also have an affect on production and market access.

Heading into 2024, these disease risks remain top of mind. While surveillance and prevention is still important, Rabobank says efforts in 2024 will focus on biosecurity and traceability, regionalization and producer compensations models, vaccines and the use of advanced genetic technologies.

Weather patterns, such as the shift to El Niño, could also bring consequences for global animal protein. In general, El Niño conditions lead to driers conditions in northern Brazil, Australia and Asia, while there tends to be more rainfall in southern parts of Latin American and the U.S., Rabobank explains.

The growing idea of sustainability and its reliance on traceability also adds pressure to the market. Connections throughout the supply chain, from retailers all the way back to the farm or ranch, will be the most effective way to measure progress in this area.

Rabobank also expects animal protein supply chains to begin exploring product claims and labeling alongside emissions reduction progress.

Both dynamic and resilient, the animal protein sector is likely heading into another challenging year. However, it’s important to understand and consider the potential opportunities that could help operations survive or even thrive in the years to come.

Read More:

2024 Pork Industry Outlook: Finding Opportunity Through Challenges

Industry Faces Financial Challenges: Glimpse of Hope in Inventory Strategies

Prepare for a Changing Beef Industry

CAFO Rules Made While Violating Open Meetings Laws, Lawsuit Filed

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 02:39:58 GMT

When debating possible farming rules specifically regarding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), central Missouri’s Cooper County health board faces a lawsuit for knowingly violating the open meetings, “Sunshine Law.”

Closed meetings, beginning in 2018, failed to be properly detailed to county residents about the subject matter discussed in the meeting and why they were deemed “closed session” material.

Spurred by a Minnesota-based Pipestone farm proposal that would bring a new facility to southern Cooper County, the health board held a series of meetings to draft rules limiting how much manure farmers could use on their property that came from the CAFO, a local news source explains.

“The law gives elected officials in general and agency bureaucrats a lot of latitude in a lot of different contexts to make rules that can significantly affect your life,” says Brent Haden, an attorney for the local farmers told the news source. “At the very least, if they’re going to do that, then they should expose to the light of day what they’re doing, the reasons they’re doing it, the why and the how of what they’re doing.”

Last week, a jury found the board had violated the open meetings law five separate times and could face as much as a $1,000 per violation. Additionally, the lawsuit challenges the rules the county placed on the CAFO operation.

Cooper County also sued the state of Missouri in a separate lawsuit over laws outlawing counties from enacting stringent health rules on agriculture, the news article reports. The lawsuit is set to appear in front of the Supreme Court of Missouri on Sept. 20.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Positive, Pork In The Red

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:15:50 GMT

Average cattle feeding margins improved $20 per head last week, with closeouts showing a modest $28 per head return over breakeven. Industry-wide average cash cattle prices improved to $111 and average per head feed costs declined about $3, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker .

The total cost for finishing a steer marketed last week was $1,487, about $51 less than the same week a year ago. Cash cattle prices that were $13 per cwt. higher a year ago produced profits of about $151 per head the first week of the New Year. This year feeder cattle represent 66% of the cost of finishing a steer compared with 73% a year ago.

Beef packer margins declined 17%, with profits of $231 per head last week. Packer margins have declined $259 per head the past month after posting margins of $490 the first week of December.

The decline in packer margins corresponds with the decline in wholesale beef prices. Last week’s beef cutout price averaged about $208 per cwt., down 13% from the $238 per cwt. reported the week ending Dec. 4. The Beef and Pork Profit Trackers are calculated by Sterling Marketing Inc., Vale, Ore.

Farrow-to-finish pork producers saw their margins fall $3 per head to a loss of $9 per head. Lean carcass prices traded at $52.56 per cwt., $0.93 lower than the previous week, and $6 lower than a month ago. A year ago pork producers lost an average of $14 per head. Pork packer margins averaged a profit of $39 per head last week, a $9 per head increase from the previous week.

Sterling Marketing president John Nalivka projects cash profit margins for cow-calf producers in 2021 will average $123 per cow. For feedyards, Nalivka projects average profits of $83 per head in 2021, and packer margins are projected to average $270 per head.

For farrow-to-finish pork producers, Nalivka projects 2021 will produces profits of $5 per head. Pork packers are projected to earn $40 per head in 2021.