Monday April 3 Crop Progress + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending April 2, 2017, temperatures averaged near normal across Nebraska, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rain at mid-week covered many western and southern counties, halting fieldwork. North central counties recorded only limited precipitation. Producers continued to monitor calving progress and were waiting for sunshine to dry and warm soils so spring fieldwork could progress. There were 2.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 19 short, 67 adequate, and 8 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent very short, 25 short, 64 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 9 poor, 42 fair, 42 good, and 5 excellent. Oats planted was 28 percent, ahead of 18 last year and 25 for the five-year average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 17 fair, 71 good, and 12 excellent. Calving progress was 62 percent complete, ahead of 55 last year. Cattle and calf death loss rated 1 percent heavy, 65 average, and 34 light.

Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 24 fair, 67 good, and 8 excellent. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 1 percent heavy, 74 average, and 25 light.

Hay and roughage supplies rated 0 percent very short, 4 short, 92 adequate, and 4 surplus.

Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 5 short, 93 adequate, and 1 surplus.



Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg/2010s/2017/CropProg-04-03-2017.pdf

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps.php?map=ACISClimateMaps

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NE



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

A rainy week prevented field work across most of Iowa during the week ending April 2, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were just 0.6 days suitable for fieldwork, with only northeast, central and southeast Iowa reporting 1.0 or more days suitable. Fertilizer, manure, and anhydrous applications were made as conditions allowed.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2 percent very short, 6 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. South central Iowa reported the highest surplus subsoil moisture level at 38 percent although just a week ago, according to the USDA’s U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of the area were still considered to be in a moderate drought along with much of southeast Iowa.

Six percent of oats have been planted, 3 days behind last year’s progress, and almost a week behind the 5-year average.

Livestock conditions are generally good although muddy lots are reported to be an issue. Calving is already complete for some cattle operations.



First USDA Crop Progress Report of the Season

Cotton, sorghum and rice planting are slightly ahead of last year's pace, while oats planting is even with last year, according to USDA's first weekly Crop Progress report issued Monday.

Fourteen percent of the winter wheat crop was rated poor to very poor, compared to only 7% at this time last year. Fifty-one percent of the crop is rated good to excellent.

Oats were 28% planted as of April 3, compared to 28% last year and a 34% average. Emergence was at 25%, compared to 24% last year and a 29% average.

For the week ended April 2, 2017, sorghum was 15% planted, compared to 13% last year and a 12% five-year average. Cotton planting was 4% complete, compared to 3% last year and a 4% average. Rice was 17% planted, compared to 15% last year and a 14% average.



CVA Hosts Contract Livestock Production Opportunities Meetings

Growing Livestock Producers in Nebraska - these meetings will focus on opportunities for new barns in Butler, York, Seward and surrounding counties. Each meeting will last approximately one hour with a panel discussion and an opportunity for Q&A. Free Meal provided at each meeting by Central Valley Ag cooperative.

Please join them for one of the meetings listed below to hear about Contract Livestock Production Opportunities. Learn about the benefits and challenges of livestock investment from industry contributors. The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska and The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will act as panel moderators throughout the one hour discussion panel.

Three meetings will be held on April 12th, including
  - 7am in Seward at the Harvest Hall on the county fairgrounds
  - 12noon at Winfield's Opera House in David City
  - 5:30pm at Cornerstone Ag & Event Center in York

RSVP by April 5, 2017 to:
  - online www.cvacoop.com/rsvp
  - phone 402-362-8496
  - email cvabarns@cvacoop.com



Smith to Hold Farm Bill Listening Sessions in Scottsbluff and Aurora

As part of his 2017 Farm Bill Listening Tour, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) will host listening sessions in Scottsbluff and Aurora on Monday, April 17, and Thursday, April 20.

The Farm Bill Listening Tour provides Third District constituents an opportunity to visit with Smith, ask questions, and share their thoughts on the future of agriculture policy.  Nebraska Director of Agriculture Greg Ibach will also join the discussions.

“Sound agriculture policies are a crucial part of ensuring farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to succeed,” Smith said.  “As Congress prepares to draft a new Farm Bill, I look forward to receiving direct input from Third District producers.  Getting these policies right will help producers overcome challenges they face and ensure the Third District remains the top-producing agriculture district in the country.”

Scottsbluff Farm Bill Listening Session
Monday, April 17
Panhandle Research & Extension Center
4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (MDT)

Aurora Farm Bill Listening Session
Thursday, April 20
Bremer Community Center
1604 L Street, Aurora, NE
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CDT)

More dates and locations for the Farm Bill Listening Tour will be announced.  For additional information about the April events, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900.



PUT CARRYOVER HAY TO GOOD USE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               The open winter left many of you with more hay left over than expected.  Save some of that hay in case of drought, but any extra hay might provide extra value if it is used strategically.

               Get extra value from carryover hay by using that hay in ways that will be valuable especially to you.  Usually that means feeding hay instead of something else that would be more expensive.  Another option, though, is to feed hay so you can make other resources more profitable.

               For example, replace old, thinning alfalfa fields with new seedings this spring.  Then use carryover hay to substitute for lost yield during this seeding year.  Future hay yields from new fields should be more abundant and reliable.

               Or how about adding legumes to cool-season grass pastures or hay meadows.  We usually lose some forage production during the year of legume establishment as you control competition from the existing sod, but your carryover hay can be fed instead as needed.  Better grazing and future meadow production should be the result.

               Another possibility that could be especially useful is to feed hay a little longer this spring before turning cows out to pasture.  Or maybe feed this hay mid-summer to provide extra rest and recovery time for your pastures, increasing their productivity.  Grass weakened by heavy grazing during previous years then will get extra time to recover before experiencing this year’s stress of grazing.

               You also could use less fertilizer on pastures or haylands and make up for the reduced production with your carryover hay.  Or chop less silage and use hay next winter instead.

               If you think about other ways you can use that hay yourself, maybe you, too, can find its extra value.



USDA Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.53 million tons (151 million bushels) in February 2017, compared to 5.12 million tons (171 million bushels) in January 2017 and 4.64 million tons (155 million bushels) in February 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.75 billion pounds down 11 percent from January 2017 and down 2 percent from February 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.27 billion pounds during February 2017 decreased 3 percent from January 2017 and decreased 3 percent from February 2016.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 167 thousand tons in February 2017, compared to 177 thousand tons in January 2017 and 138 thousand tons in February 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 140 million pounds down 7 percent from January 2017 but up 22 percent from February 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 117 million pounds during February 2017 was up 2 percent from January 2017 and up 1 percent from February 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 44.3 million pounds during February 2017 was up slightly from January 2017 and up 2 percent from February 2016.

Edible tallow production was 72.0 million pounds during February 2017, up 2 percent from January 2017 but down 7 percent from February 2016. Inedible tallow production was 334 million pounds during February 2017, up 11 percent from January 2017 and up 19 percent from February 2016. Technical tallow production was 115 million pounds during February 2017, up 20 percent from January 2017 but down 3 percent from February 2016. Choice white grease production at 121 million pounds during February 2017 increased 7 percent from January 2017 and increased 8 percent from February 2016.



USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 473 million bushels in February 2017. Total corn consumption was down 11 percent from January 2017 but up 1 percent from February 2016. February 2017 usage included 91.7 percent for alcohol and 8.3 percent for other purposes. Corn total corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.08 million bushels, up 27 percent from January 2017 and up 25 percent from February 2016. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 423 million bushels, was down 11 percent from January 2017 but up 1 percent from February 2016. Corn consumed in February 2017 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.3 percent and 9.71 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.89 million tons during February 2017, down 9 percent from January 2017 but up 5 percent from February 2016. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.22 million tons in February 2017, down 12 percent from January 2017 and down 2 percent from February 2016.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 269 thousand tons during February 2017, down 22 percent from January 2017 and down 14 percent from February 2016. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 293 thousand tons in February 2017, down 7 percent from January 2017 but up 5 percent from February 2016.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for April 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for April 2017. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for April is 1.000 percent, up from 0.875 percent in March.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during April is 2.000 percent, up from 1.875 percent in March.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for March are as follows, 1.625 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 1.500 percent in March; 2.000 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 1.875 percent in March; 2.250 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.250 percent in March; 2.500 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.500 percent in March and; 2.500 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.500 percent in March.



AFBF and NGFA urge Senate to confirm Sonny Perdue as Agriculture Secretary this week

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today joined in calling on the U.S. Senate to confirm Sonny Perdue as the 31st secretary of agriculture this week before beginning a two-week spring recess on April 7.

The Senate Agriculture Committee, in an overwhelming bipartisan vote on March 30, approved recommending confirmation of the former two-term Georgia governor to the full Senate.

"U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses - and the consumers we serve - need the strong, capable leadership at USDA that Gov. Perdue will provide," the AFBF and NGFA said. "He is a dedicated, accomplished, innovative, problem-solving and proven public servant, and we need him at the USDA to begin addressing a backlog of policy issues that are awaiting his attention and to begin the process of filling key positions within the department. It also is vital to have Gov. Perdue engaged fully within the administration and with Congress on international trade, farm bill and regulatory issues affecting U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses."

Perdue has the bipartisan support of six past agriculture secretaries, the AFBF and NGFA noted, as well as the support of nearly 700 agriculture groups from across the nation.



Farm Bureau Launches Market Intel Reports

The American Farm Bureau Federation announces the launch of Market Intel, a new series of market intelligence reports available at fb.org/marketintel and on Twitter (@FBMarketIntel). Market Intel will provide timely market intelligence on the agricultural economy for farmers, ranchers, lawmakers and consumers, according to AFBF.

“Soybeans Trumping Corn in 18 States” by AFBF’s Dr. John Newton, is the first Market Intel report in the new series. It features insights on the implications of the Agriculture Department’s just-released Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports. 

“Our aim with Market Intel is to analyze current events in agriculture – related to both crops and livestock – through an economic lens,” said Newton, AFBF’s director of market intelligence. “The timely market intelligence on the agricultural economy that we provide will be useful for farmers, lawmakers and consumers. Farmers and ranchers will find Market Intel to be a useful decision-making resource for marketing and planting.”

Led by AFBF Chief Economist Dr. Bob Young, a trio of young gun economists at AFBF will share the latest on today’s agricultural market intelligence through regular Market Intel updates.

Newton earned his doctorate in agricultural economics at The Ohio State University and focuses on agricultural commodity markets, risk management and farm bill programs; Economist Katelyn McCullock holds a master’s in agricultural economics from Colorado State University and specializes in economic analysis of animal health and welfare, organic standards for livestock, and livestock and dairy markets; and Economist Veronica Nigh holds a master’s in economics from American University and analyzes how shifts in policy related to international trade, environmental issues, transportation, labor, food safety and taxes affect the agricultural economy.

Download Market Intel reports at fb.org/marketintel.



CWT Assists with 2 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 12 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Tillamook County Creamery Association, which have contracts to sell 2.01 million pounds (911 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through June 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 23.49 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 1.43 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 12 countries on four continents. The sales are the equivalent of 248.94 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



USDA Announces $1.9 Million for Alfalfa, Forage Research

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced the availability of $1.9 million in funding for research and development to improve the agricultural productivity, profitability, and conservation of the U.S. alfalfa forage industry. Funding is made through NIFA's Alfalfa and Forage Research Program.

"Alfalfa and other forage crops have great potential as high-value, sustainable crops," said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. "These NIFA investments will help expand this potential into profit for agricultural producers."

Alfalfa is a high-nutrition animal feed that also shows promise as a source for biobased materials and other renewable resources. AFRP is an integrated alfalfa-oriented research and extension program that supports collaborative research and technology transfer to improve overall agricultural productivity, profitability, and conservation of natural resources through conventional and organic forage and seed production systems. In FY 2017, AFRP will support the development of improved alfalfa forage and seed production systems, practices, and supporting technologies.

Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and individuals who are United States citizens or nationals.

The deadline for applications is May 1.



Calf Price Rally and a Crop Production Report
David P. Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

The Spring rally in fed cattle price, Choice, and Select beef cutout values has extended into the calf and feeder market.  Number 1, 5-600 pound steers in the Southern Plains have crept up from about $148 in early January to over $165 by the end of March.  Calves of these weights typically rise in the Spring.  Much of this seasonal increase is a supply driven phenomenon in that there are fewer calves of those weights around at this time of the year.

Heavier feeder cattle (7-800 pound) prices in the Southern Plains have increased about $8 per cwt this Spring.  But all that increase occurred in March.   Both supply and demand for calves play a role in spring time prices.  Over the next couple of months, supplies will be increasing as these feeders come off wheat and other pastures.  On the demand side, feedlot's demand for feeders will be affected by fed cattle and feed prices.  Deferred futures for fed cattle that will finish later in the summer remain around $107.  Feeder cattle and lighter calf prices will be pressured by fed cattle prices (and their rally duration) and increasing supplies on the market.

Speaking of feed prices, USDA released its prospective plantings report.  Low feed prices, record large production, and large stocks are fueling record large meat production this year.  Corn acres were estimated to be 89.99 million acres, down about 4 million acres on corn prices that are likely below many farmer's production costs.  An estimated 89.5 million acres are estimated to be planted to soybeans (up 6 million acres), on better soybean prices relative to corn.  The report came very close to indicated more acres planted to soybeans than corn for the first time ever.  (I think the trend of acres planted to soybeans and corn is one of the more interesting changes in long term U.S. agriculture.)

After the crop is planted crop development and weather will begin to affect prices.  Fewer planted acres of corn will likely begin to result in higher corn prices.  Developments in feed prices this summer will affect calf and feeder prices later in the year. 



USDA Claims Confidentiality for 12,000 Pages of Federal Checkoff Spending Records

March 31, 2017 was the USDA’s court-ordered deadline to choose transparency or secrecy in a lawsuit over records from an audit initiated in 2011 of the federal Beef Checkoff Program. It chose secrecy. Out of a total of 12,341 pages of financial records from the audit and sought by the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) through the Freedom of Information Act, USDA released less than 175 pages, most of which are already public tax forms. The remaining nearly 12,200 pages of checkoff-related records, however, were completely blacked out—USDA is claiming they are confidential. The bottom line is that USDA is withholding a staggering 98.5% of federal Beef Checkoff Program spending records from the cattle producers who are required to pay into the government program.

The lawsuit is part of OCM’s four-year battle on behalf of cattle producers to force the USDA to release government audit documents and financial records showing how cattle producers’ beef checkoff funds are being spent. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)—the primary spender of checkoff funds—has been fighting to keep the information hidden. USDA appears committed to helping NCBA conceal checkoff records, rather than assuring transparency for the producers it is supposed to be accountable to. NCBA entered the case last year after learning that financial ledgers relating to checkoff funds were among the records OCM was seeking to make transparent.

Among the reasons USDA is giving for its claim of confidentiality is that if the records are disclosed, other organizations could underbid NCBA for checkoff contracts, insinuating that NCBA is not giving producers the best bargain for their checkoff dollars.

OCM President Mike Weaver stated: “NCBA knows it has had its hand in the cattle producers’ cookie jar, and is fighting to keep it there while denying the hard-working cattle producers who pay into the Beef Checkoff Program the truth about how it is spending their tax dollars. What is just as alarming is the fact our U.S. government refuses to release government documents related to a government audit report on how our money is being spent.”

OCM will continue to battle for full disclosure of the audit and financial records in its effort to bring long-overdue transparency and accountability to the checkoff programs. While the USDA continues to hide Beef Checkoff Program abuses in court, the U.S. Congress last week took meaningful action toward curbing those abuses by reintroducing bipartisan checkoff program reform legislation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Weaver stated: “If funneling checkoff funds through an intermediary, like NCBA, is all it takes to conceal checkoff-funded activity, there is no way to guard against lobbying, anti-competitive activity, or even something as fundamental as fiscal waste. It has never been clearer that we need Congress to pass meaningful checkoff program reform legislation.”

While USDA and NCBA continue to try to cover up checkoff program misconduct, OCM intends to challenge the refusal to disclose records for what is supposed to be a government program accountable to the farmers who fund it. OCM’s challenge will include both the refusal to release the checkoff financial records and the audit records that USDA has also refused to disclose.



Reducing Summer Pneumonia Risks Begins Now

Changing weather conditions and stress from working or transporting calves opens the door for the viruses and bacteria that cause summer pneumonia. The vaccinations a cattleman gives this spring can help reduce the risk of summer pneumonia and prepare calves successfully for fall weaning.

“Summer pneumonia is a real challenge and can occur during dry or wet weather conditions,” said Jon Seeger, DVM, managing veterinarian with Zoetis. “With INFORCE™ 3 we see a great value in the rapid, lasting immune response to the intranasal administration in the spring with young calves.”

For Jorgensen Land and Cattle near Ideal, South Dakota, INFORCE 3 is an important part of their respiratory vaccination protocol. “We were struggling with respiratory disease outbreaks in the bulls we received from our cooperator herds,” said Cody Jorgensen, a partner in this operation that sells 3,700 plus bulls each year. “We worked with our local veterinarian and experts from Zoetis to create a vaccination protocol that has essentially eliminated our respiratory problems heading into fall.”

Jorgensen says the protocol begins with an INFORCE 3 administration at birth, followed by a second dose of INFORCE 3 at branding/turnout time. They will also give ONE SHOT® BVD and ULTRABAC® 7 vaccinations at turnout time, along with DECTOMAX® Injectable for parasite control.

“We simply don’t have the respiratory issues that we used to have since we implemented this protocol in our own operation and with our cooperator herds,” said Jorgensen.

Vaccinating young calves in the springtime will help you and the calf win the fight against summer pneumonia before it begins. “A vaccination program is like sending the calf’s immune system to school,” Dr. Seeger said. “It’s important for producers to vaccinate calves before putting them out for summer so calves can develop the proper immune capabilities.”

“Anything abnormal to the animal’s environment or daily activity can be a stress factor, and young calves’ immune systems must compensate for it,” Dr. Seeger said. “When calves are taken out of their normal comfort zone, keep an eye on them for at least the next seven to 10 days to make sure sickness doesn’t follow the associated stress.”  



ABS Global Granted Permanent Injunction Against Sexing Technologies

ABS Global Inc. (ABS), a division of Genus plc, a global pioneer in animal genetics, was granted a permanent injunction in connection with its litigation against Inguran LLC, operating as Sexing Technologies (ST). The injunction was announced by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on March 31.

In granting the permanent injunction the court confirmed that ST is prevented from enforcing certain research, marketing and non-compete restrictions under the 2012 Semen Sorting Agreement between ST and ABS. It also allows other bull studs in the U.S. to terminate their ST sexed semen processing agreements on 12 months’ notice, without damage or penalty. The injunction will remain in force for five years and ST is required by the Court to give prompt written notice of the Court’s decision to the other bull studs. ABS sought the injunction in light of the jury finding in August 2016, that ST had willfully maintained monopoly power in the market for sexed bovine semen processing in the U.S. since July 2012.

Dairy farmers have a preference for female calves, and the use of sexed semen in artificial insemination is designed to provide customers with female calves. ABS plans to launch its own brand of sexed genetics, Sexcel™, in 2017. Sexcel is produced through a novel technology for sexing bovine semen that does not subject the cells to the high pressures, electric currents and shear forces of the technology currently in use in the industry. The commercial launch of Sexcel will provide ABS customers with a new and exciting product to help them profit through genetic progress.

“We are very excited to bring our innovative 21st century technology to the market and introduce competition to the marketplace,” said Nate Zwald, Chief Operating Officer – ABS Global. “We know we have a strong product and trial results validate that we have a very effective sexed offering to present to our customers. We are also excited to bring competition to the market for bovine sexed semen processing, benefiting dairy and beef producers.”



USDA Expands Meat and Poultry Hotline Hours to Further Provide Food Safety Information to Consumers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced that it is increasing the delivery of safe food handling and preparation information by expanding the hours of its Meat and Poultry Hotline and Ask Karen chat services.  As detailed in the Agency’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, FSIS is focusing on the reduction of foodborne illness, and one way to contribute to that reduction is to increase public awareness of safe food handling information.

FSIS’ Meat and Poultry Hotline has been educating consumers since 1985. The toll-free telephone service assists in the prevention of foodborne illnesses by answering consumers’ questions about the safe storage, handling and preparation of meat, poultry and egg products. Beginning today, the hotline will be open for two additional hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

“Our hotline provides a valuable service in educating consumers about how to safely prepare food,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. “By keeping the hotline open an additional two hours, we are expanding our reach to allow more consumers, including those on the West Coast, to have their food safety questions answered.”

The hotline is accompanied by Ask Karen, a 24-hour online service that provides answers to thousands of frequently asked questions and also allows consumers to email or live-chat with a food safety specialist during operating hours.

For 32 years the Meat and Poultry Hotline has answered questions about food manufacturer recalls, food poisoning, food safety during power outages, and the inspection of meat, poultry and egg products. From novice cooks roasting their first turkey to experienced food handlers asking about foodborne bacteria, the Meat and Poultry Hotline has answered more than 3 million calls since its inception.

“Our hotline staff are experts in their field and have backgrounds in nutrition, food technology and public health,” said Almanza. “Experts are available to talk with people in English and Spanish, so we are able to help address the food safety needs of diverse communities.”

Consumers can contact the Meat and Poultry Hotline to speak to a live food expert at 1-888-674-6854, or visit Ask Karen to chat or email (in English or Spanish), Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time/7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time.