Wednesday August 11 Ag News

 INOCULANTS FOR CORN SILAGE
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator
 
Silage is only as good as we can harvest and store it, but then we also need to feed it. Adding inoculants might be one way to help; and it’s not too early to figure out which one would be best.
 
Inoculants are simply bacterial cultures that help reduce pH faster by converting sugars to acids which reduce molds, fungi, and unwanted bacteria such as clostridia.
According to a leading expert in silage inoculants, Dr. Limin Kung, University of Delaware Ruminant Nutrition specialist, the first step is deciding if up-front fermentation and/or aerobic stability are needed when feeding the silage. Typically, when discussing corn silage, both are needed. Some inoculant brands include Lallemand, Pioneer, and SuperSile. Just to name a few.
 
Inoculants primarily reduce storage losses.  The most effective ones contain homolactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum.  Fermentation starts and ends quicker with inoculated silage, so more silage remains for feeding.  Some inoculants, like heterolactic acid bacteria Lactobacillius buchneri, can improve aerobic stability by reducing spoilage losses when silage is re-exposed to air.  These bacteria are especially useful at reducing spoilage on the face of bunker silos if the face is too wide to keep fresh or if producers take out several days’ worth of feed from the pile at one time.
 
The purpose of inoculants is not to fix a train wreck or improve a perfect silage year, but they can help when things aren’t ideal. Inoculants can be used as an insurance policy to reduce the risk of spoilage and maintain quality. This insurance policy, however, can be used on a year-by-year basis unlike most insurance decisions.



PVC Outlook Meeting is Aug 16th
Tyler Engstrom, Platte Valley Cattlemen President

It’s time for our annual Outlook meeting on Monday, August 16th at Doernemann’s Barn in Clarkson.  Social hour at 6:00 and meal at 7:00 pm. Our guest speakers are Jed Christensen from Commodity Solutions Inc. and Landon Nelson from Farm Credit Services of America. They will be talking to us about what the future markets are looking like and livestock insurance.

We would like to thank Pinnacle Bank for sponsoring the social hour and Commodity Solutions Inc. for sponsoring the meal.

We look forward to seeing you on August 16th at the Barn.



PSC Temporarily Suspends Grain Dealer License for Pipeline Foods, LLC

The Nebraska Public Service Commission has issued an Order (GDC-445/GD-3022) temporarily suspending the Grain Dealer License of Pipeline Foods, LLC, of Minneapolis, MN., for failure to include specific “Warning to Seller” language in violation of the Grain Dealer Act (Neb. Rev. Stat § 75-901).

Per the Order, the omission of the “Warning to Seller” language on grain purchase contracts issued by Pipeline Foods, LLC., fails to provide Nebraska producers notification of the procedures that must be followed in order to have recourse to a licensed grain dealer’s security.

“We have some serious questions about this grain dealer’s ability to operate as a business in Nebraska,” said Commission chair Dan Watermeier. “We feel that the public good requires us to take action and issue the license suspension.”

Under the temporary suspension, Pipeline Foods, LLC cannot act as a grain dealer within the state of Nebraska until the resolution of the complaint (GDC-445/GD-3022).  As such Pipeline Foods, LLC., may not undertake any action that would classify it as a grain dealer, including, but not limited to, buying grain from Nebraska producers/sellers with the intent to sell such grain.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “It is important as we approach harvest season that our producers/sellers are aware of this license suspension.”

Pipeline Foods, LLC., has 20-days in which to file a response to the Commission’s complaint.



CONFERENCE ENCOURAGES TEACHERS TO DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Who decided that rows were the best way to organize a classroom? Or that learning can't be loud and messy? Not an entrepreneur.

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln hosted its inaugural Guide Conference on July 7 and 8, which equipped Nebraska educators to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

Brennan Costello, Engler’s chief business relations officer, and Ann Dvorak, a program specialist for the World Wildlife Fund and former high school agriculture education teacher, designed the conference to help teachers challenge assumptions of traditional classroom education and create employers instead of employees.

“Educators are in the business of nurturing young humans, guiding them to uncover their purposes in life,” Dvorak said. “The Guide Conference was created to foster the entrepreneurial mindset within educators — to encourage them to test their curiosity about assumptions and view obstacles and failures as points of growth.”

Throughout the two-day workshop, 17 high school teachers from across the state broke the confines of traditional classroom management by repeatedly asking arguably the most entrepreneurial question of all: Why not?

“The most important part of Guide was it taught me how to recognize my assumptions about teaching and the importance of testing those assumptions to be more innovative in the classroom,” said Kate Grimes, an agriculture education teacher at Axtell Community School.

Teachers identified alternatives to conventional lecture-style teaching, such as the Socratic seminar, a student-led discussion method focused on asking open-ended questions that allow for a variety of opinions to be shared on complex issues.

Participants also engaged with an administration panel to learn how to collaborate effectively with principals, superintendents and community members. Educators strategized how to implement teaching methods that inspire students to confidently design learning projects and assess the quality of their work.

“I am excited to incorporate project days and self-assessment to allow students in my classroom to explore the topics that interest them most and encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning,” said Collin Swedberg, an agriculture education teacher at North Platte High School.  

According to the Nebraska Department of Education, there are more than 320,000 students within the Nebraska public school system. Providing teachers with resources that encourage entrepreneurship is essential to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in the state’s next generation of business leaders.

“Teachers play a central role in the growth of young people,” Costello said. “The Guide Conference is strategically built to help more teachers think entrepreneurially in the classroom.”

To learn about opportunities to invest in aspiring entrepreneurs or connect local schools to the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, email Costello at bcostello3@unl.edu.



89 Families to Receive Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards at Iowa State Fair

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenney and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon will recognize 89 farm families for their environmental stewardship during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Recipients are from the last two years, including 42 from 2020 and 47 from 2021. The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to improve and protect the environment and our state’s natural resources while serving as leaders in their farming communities.

These farm families use scientifically-proven practices like cover crops, wetlands, bioreactors and saturated buffers that support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The recipients recognize the benefits of conservation practices extend beyond their fields to residents downstream, and their leadership encourages others to adopt similar conservation practices. The winners were chosen by a committee representing both conservation and agricultural groups.

Date: Wednesday, Aug. 18
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Oman Family Youth Inn

The 2020 and 2021 award recipients include:
    Mark, William, and Jerome Loutsch, Plymouth County
    Tom Barry, Kay Barry, Harrison County
    Van Horn Farms, Carroll County
    DJ Goodman Farms, Darin and Jamie Goodman, Pottawattamie County
    Kirk and Lynell Vorthmann and Kelby and Jennifer Vorthmann, Pottawattamie County

Since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012, more than 650 Iowa farm families have been recognized by the governor, lieutenant governor, Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Department of Natural Resources. A list of previous recipients can be found at iowaagriculture.gov/farm-environmental-leader-awards.




National Cattlemen’s Foundation Recognizes CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship Recipients

Ten students pursuing careers in the beef industry were awarded $1,500 scholarships for the next school year by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and recognized during the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville. The CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program recognizes talented and thoughtful students emerging as industry leaders.  
    
The 2021 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship Recipients:
•    Carsten Loseke, Columbus, Neb., University of Nebraska Lincoln
•    Dominic Gittlein, Fort Lupton, Colo., University of Nebraska Lincoln
•    Lauren Mosher, Liscomb, Iowa, Iowa State University
•    Sydney Bowman, Fort Lupton, Colo., Kansas State University
•    Kinzie Burtrum, Stillwater, Okla., Oklahoma State University
•    Rebecca Coombe, Grahamsville, N.Y., Cornell University
•    Christian Cummings, Nowata, Okla., Oklahoma State University
•    Allie Herring, Franklin, Texas, Texas Tech
•    Kyli Kraft, Fort Collins, Colo., West Texas A&M
•    Brooke Vyvlecka, Jourdanton, Texas, Texas A&M University

“NCF and CME Group are committed to supporting outstanding youth in the beef community and ensuring the future of the cattle industry,” said John Lacey, NCF trustee. “This year’s recipients represent the best and brightest, and we are honored to help them continue their career pursuits.”

Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play an important role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program. Applications for 2022 will be accepted beginning Oct. 1, 2021.

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was first organized in 1972. It provides charitable, scientific and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry. For more information, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.  



CattleFax Forecasts Record Beef Demand; Prospects for Tighter Supplies

The beef cattle industry is bouncing back from the pandemic, and continued progress is expected in 2022. Beef prices are near record high, and consumer and wholesale beef demand are both at 30-year highs as the U.S. and global economy recover. While drought remains a significant concern with weather threatening pasture conditions in the Northern Plains and West, strong demand, combined with higher cattle prices, signal an optimistic future for the beef industry, according to CattleFax. The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, shared expert market and weather analysis today.

According to CattleFax CEO Randy Blach, the cattle market is still dealing with a burdensome supply of market-ready fed cattle. The influence of that supply will diminish as three years of herd liquidation will reduce feedyard placements. As this occurs, the value of calves, feeder cattle and fed cattle will increase several hundred dollars per head over the next few years.

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that the most recent cattle cycle saw cattle inventories peak at 94.8 million head and that those numbers are still in the system due to the COVID-19 induced slowdown in harvest over the past year.

“As drought, market volatility and processing capacity challenges unnerved producers over the past 24 months, the industry is liquidating the beef cowherd which is expected to decline 400,000 head by Jan. 1 reaching 30.7 million head,” Good said.

The feeder cattle and calf supply will decline roughly 1 million head from its peak during this contraction phase. Fed cattle slaughter will remain larger through 2021 as carryover from pandemic disruptions works through a processing segment hindered by labor issues, he added.

“While fed cattle slaughter nearly equals 2019 highs at 26.5 million head this year, we expect a 500,000-head decline in 2022,” Good said. “This, combined with plans for new packing plants and expansions possibly adding near 25,000 head per week of slaughter capacity over the next few years, should restore leverage back to the producer.”

Good forecasted the average 2022 fed steer price at $135/cwt., up $14/cwt. from 2021, with a range of $120 to $150/cwt. throughout the year. All cattle classes are expected to trade higher, and prices are expected to improve over the next three years. The 800-lb. steer price is expected to average $165/cwt. with a range of $150 to $180/cwt., and the 550-lb. steer price is expected to average $200/cwt., with a range of $170 to $230/cwt. Finally, Good forecasted utility cows at an average of $70/cwt. with a range of $60 to $80/cwt., and bred cows at an average of $1,750/cwt. with a range of $1,600 to $1,900 for load lots of quality, running-age cows.

Consumer demand for beef at home and around the globe remained strong in 2021, a trend that will continue in 2022, especially as tight global protein supplies are expected to fuel U.S. export growth.

Aftershocks from the pandemic continue to keep domestic demand at elevated levels not seen since 1988. Government stimulus and unemployment benefits are fueling the economy with demand outpacing available supplies as restaurants and entertainment segments emerge from shutdowns.

According to Good, the boxed beef cutout peaked at $336/cwt. in June, while retail beef prices pushed to annual high at $7.11/lb. “Customer traffic remained strong at restaurants and retail – even as those segments pushed on the higher costs, proving consumers are willing to pay more for beef,” he said.

Wholesale demand will be softer in 2022, as a bigger decline in beef supplies will offset a smaller increase in beef prices with the cutout expected to increase $5 to $265/cwt. Retailers and restaurants continue to adjust prices higher to cover costs. Good added the retail beef prices are expected to average $6.80/lb. in 2021 and increase to $6.85/lb. in 2022.

Global protein demand has increased and U.S. beef exports have posted new record highs for two consecutive months, even with high wholesale prices. The increases were led by large, year-over-year gains into China, and Japan and South Korea remaining strong trade partners for protein. “The tightening of global protein supplies will support stronger U.S. red meat exports in 2022. U.S. beef exports are expected to grow 15 percent in 2021 and another 5 percent in 2022,” Good said.

Mike Murphy, CattleFax vice president of research and risk management services, expects summer weather patterns – and their affect on corn and soybean yields – to be the focus of market participants.

“As China rebuilds its pork industry following their battle with African Swine Fever, they are looking for higher quality feed ingredients, such as corn and soybeans” Murphy said “Exceptional demand from China is leading U.S. corn exports to a new record in the current market year, and strong demand for U.S. soybeans has elevated prices in the last 12 months.”

Spot prices for soybeans are expected to be $13 to $16 per bushel for the remainder of the next 18 months along with spot corn futures to trade between $4.75 to $6.25 per bushel in the same time frame.

Murphy noted that drier weather in the Northern Plains and West will pressure hay production and quality in the 2021 season – supporting prices into the next year. “May 1 on-farm hay stocks were down 12 percent from the previous year, at 18 million tons. The USDA estimates hay acres are down 700,000 from last year at 51.5 million acres. So, expect current year hay prices to average near $170/ton, and 2022 average prices should be steady to $10 higher due to tighter supplies and stronger demand,” he said.

All session panelists agreed that weather is a major factor impacting the beef industry, and agriculture as a whole in 2021 and going into 2022. A forecasted return of La Niña this fall would lead to intensifying drought for the West and Plains into early 2022, according to Dr. Art Douglas, professor emeritus at Creighton University. Douglas indicated that the precipitation outlook in the fall of 2021 going into the early part of 2022 could see drought push harder in the Pacific Northwest with above-normal precipitation across the inter-mountain West – leaving the Midwest drier, and less tropical storm activity to reduce Southeast rainfall into late fall. Also, the western half of the country will be drier into early spring with a returning La Nina.

Blach concluded the session with an overall positive outlook, expecting margins to improve as cattle supply tightens and producers gain leverage back from packers and retailers, beef demand to remain solid with expected export growth, and utilization and packing capacity to improve over the next few years. He also noted that the economy has made gains in 2021 and should stay stronger with low interest rates and government stimulus fueling consumer spending.



Retail Potash, MAP Prices Climb as Other Fertilizers Stall

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to be mostly higher the first week of August 2021, led by potash, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to last month, with only potash up a significant amount, which DTN designates at 5% or more. Potash was up 13% compared to the prior month, and now has an average price of $557 per ton. MAP prices increased 4% to $755/ton.  The remaining four fertilizers were just slightly higher. DAP had an average price of $695/ton, urea $556/ton, 10-34-0 $631/ton and anhydrous $738/ton.

Two fertilizers, UAN28 and UAN32, were slightly lower in price looking back a month. UAN28 had an average price of $367/ton and UAN32 $418/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.60/lb.N, anhydrous $0.45/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

Retail fertilizer prices compared to a year ago show all fertilizers have increased significantly.  10-34-0 is now 36% more expensive, potash is 56% higher, urea is 57% more expensive, UAN32 is 60% higher, anhydrous is 62% more expensive, UAN28 65% higher, DAP is 67% more expensive and MAP is 76% higher compared to last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/6/2021

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 6, ethanol production slowed by 27,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 2.7%, to a thirteen-week low of 986,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.41 million gallons daily. Production was 7.4% above the same week last year, which was affected by the pandemic, but was 5.6% below the 2019 level. The four-week average ethanol production volume decreased by 1.4% to 1.010 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.48 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks thinned by 1.6% to a four-week low of 22.3 million barrels. Stocks were 12.8% above the year-ago level but 6.7% below the same week in 2019. Inventories tightened across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, declined 3.5% to 9.43 million b/d (144.56 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 6.2% above a year ago but 5.1% below the same week in 2019.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked down 0.2% to 930,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.26 bg annualized. Net inputs were 8.0% above a year ago but 3.8% less than the same week in 2019.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the second consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of June 2021.)



Checkoff Study Shows Soybean Meal Increases Weight Gain and Feed Efficiency in Growing Pigs

Within the last 20 years, soybean meal (SBM) inclusion levels in pig diets have become heavily dependent on pricing. This is at the detriment of overlooking the value of SBM beyond its primary attributes as a source of amino acids. Shifting diets to higher inclusion levels of crystalline amino acids and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) — a 35% increase between 2000 and 2017 — hinders soy’s beneficial components, such as isoflavones, saponins and phenolic antioxidants. These vital compounds improve immune responses, provide anti-inflammatory benefits and enhance growth performance of pigs exposed to viral disease challenges.

Presented at the International Conference on Swine Nutrition on Aug. 11, results from a soy checkoff-funded study, “Evaluation of the Potential Benefit of Soybean Meal on Gain and Feed Efficiency of Growing Pigs,” among several other independently evaluated, unbiased studies confirmed an economic return and direct and positive relationship between SBM and improved total weight gain and feed use efficiency in developing pigs. The publicly available capstone study also revealed that soy’s health benefits are more pronounced when swine experience respiratory health challenges, which could be of greater importance during summer months when the average daily gain is important to achieve market weights.

“This checkoff-supported study points out that formulating for least cost doesn’t always add up to maximum profit, especially in the volatile commodity markets that face the swine sector right now,” said Dean Boyd, Ph.D., a consulting animal nutritionist, adjunct professor of animal nutrition at North Carolina State University and Iowa State University, and a principal investigator for the study. “With pricing as the dominant factor driving ingredient decisions, little consideration is given to the intrinsic value of soybean meal, which offers an essential source of health-promoting compounds and amino acids.”

In a recent article in National Hog Farmer, Eric van Heugten, Ph.D., at North Carolina State University, who’s a collaborator on the project, reported that grower pigs starting at about 85 pounds fed a reduced SBM diet had a 2.46-pound lower body weight at the end of the study compared to pigs fed the higher SBM diet, even after balancing for amino acids. And replacing SBM with lysine·HCl (plus other crystalline amino acids) reduced final body weight by 5.71 pounds.

“This research indicates that there are limits to how much soybean meal can cost-effectively be eliminated from pig diets,” explained Rochelle Krusemark, a soybean farmer who manages a custom hog feeding operation in Sherburn, Minnesota, and Meal Target Area coordinator at the United Soybean Board (USB). “It is very difficult to replicate the naturally balanced value bundle of soy that animal nutritionists recognize as a staple ingredient in swine and other animal diets.”

Given this direct negative effect when switching pig diets over for a short period of time and reducing SBM inclusion, some nutritionists indicate there may be a SBM level below which growth and feed conversion are compromised that could be impacted by growth phase and health status. Resulting considerations for SBM use contribute to high-quality diets, reduce swine stress levels and enhance animal performance, biology and gut health.

“These experimental outcomes accentuate the importance of soybean meal on growth and feed efficiency for growing and finishing pigs. The applied work takes a step further by estimating minimum soybean meal inclusion levels to maximize growth and potential economic returns for pig farmers,” said Keenan McRoberts, Ph.D., vice president of science and program strategy for USB. “Consequently, this foundational applied work establishes a new starting point for soybean meal use and value in pig rations — work that must be advanced further, together with industry partners, to evaluate implications under different production systems and seasons. We look forward to working with nutritionists and other industry partners to share this foundational work and advance critical next steps.”



CCQA Publishes Animal Care Reference Manual

The Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) program today published the first volume of its Animal Care Reference Manual. This manual assists farmers and ranchers who raise different breeds of male and female calves intended for dairy and/or beef production systems, encouraging calf raisers to approach management decisions with thoughtfulness and an appreciation for the responsibility they have to their animals, consumers and the broader cattle industries in the U.S.

“The Animal Care Reference Manual is a fantastic resource which highlights best management practices and recognizes the good work that calf raisers implement across the country,” said Beverly Hampton Phifer, Stakeholder Relations Manager for the FARM Program. “This inaugural CCQA resource deliverable was designed to help calf raisers continually improve animal care outcomes on the farm while providing assurances for the supply chain.”

In addition to the manual, the CCQA program also offers resources specific to the needs of calf raisers such as protocol templates and animal observation scoring reference guides. Online and in-person opportunities for individuals looking to be CCQA-certified, as well as a facility self-assessment, will be available later this fall.

The CCQA program is jointly led by the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, managed by the National Milk Producer’s Federation (NMPF) and NCBA’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, funded by The Beef Checkoff. Support is also provided by the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, and The Beef Checkoff-funded Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program.



Nutriens Reports Higher Quarter Earnings

Nutrien Ltd. announced its second quarter 2021 results, with net earnings of $1.1 billion. Second-quarter adjusted net earnings were $2.08 per share and adjusted EBITDA was $2.2 billion.

"We delivered record earnings across our global business for the second quarter and first half of 2021 and expect the remainder of the year to contribute to a full year record. We showcased Nutrien's unique competitive advantages, strong operating performance and the significant leverage to higher fertilizer prices as we focus on our purpose to help growers meet the ever-growing demand for increased food production in a sustainable manner," commented Mayo Schmidt, Nutrien's President and CEO.

Nutrien generated record adjusted EBITDA of $3.0 billion and free cash flow1 of $1.9 billion in the first half of 2021. This represents an increase of 36 percent and 40 percent, respectively, compared to the first half of 2020 and 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively higher than the previous record for the company in the first half of 2019.

Nutrien Ag Solutions delivered record adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter and first half of 2021. First-half adjusted EBITDA increased 24 percent compared to the same period in 2020 as a result of double-digit growth in revenue and gross margin, higher gross margin percentage and adjusted EBITDA margins surpassing 11 percent. The increase was primarily due to organic growth supported by strong demand for grains and oilseeds, continued growth in our proprietary product sales, optimization and efficiency initiatives, as well as, the ongoing commitment of our approximately 3,600 crop advisors to serve our grower customers.

Potash adjusted EBITDA was 48 percent higher in the second quarter and 41 percent higher in the first half of 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 due to higher net realized selling prices and sales volumes. We achieved record production and sales volumes of nearly 7 million tonnes in the first six months of 2021.



Mexico Agrees to Resume Pork Shipments from N.C. Smithfield Plant

Mexico is allowing a Smithfield Foods' hog plant in North Carolina, the world's biggest, to resume shipments of pork products after blocking them two months ago over quality concerns, according to the USDA.

According to Reuters, Smithfield's plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina, is allowed again to export pork to Mexico that was produced on or after Aug. 6, the USDA said in a notice on Monday. Meat produced from June 16 to Aug. 5 cannot be shipped, it said.

Mexico stopped accepting shipments from the plant on June 16 over concerns about the quality of pork skins, in a blow to the U.S. hog sector.

Smithfield, owned by Hong Kong-listed WH Group, has said the issue was not related to Smithfield or its facility, but was due to a third-party company.

Between April and June 16, Mexican inspectors at the U.S.-Mexico border rejected three pork skin cargos from the Tar Heel facility as well as another shipper, Rava Forwarding, Mexico's health safety agency told Reuters in June.

Mexico halted shipments from a Rava Forwarding cold storage facility in Laredo, Texas, on June 18. The company is now eligible to ship meat with export certificates issued on or after Aug. 6, according to the USDA.