Monday December 23 Hogs & Pigs Report + Ag News

NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY UP 6 PERCENT

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2019, was 3.75 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was up 6 percent from December 1, 2018, but unchanged from September 1, 2019.

Breeding hog inventory, at 440,000 head, was unchanged from December 1, 2018, but down 2 percent from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.31 million head, was up 6 percent from last year, and up slightly from last quarter.

The September - November 2019 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.22 million head, was down slightly from 2018. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 190,000 head, down 3 percent from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.70 for the September - November period, compared to 11.45 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 190,000 sows during the December 2019 - February 2020 quarter, up 3 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for March - May 2020 are 190,000 sows, down 5 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.



IOWA HOGS & PIGS REPORT

On December 1, 2019, there were 24.8 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Hogs and Pigs report. Inventory is up 5 percent from the previous year, and is a record December 1 inventory.

The September-November quarterly pig crop was 6.02 million head, down 113,000 head from the previous quarter and 6 percent below last year. A total of 530,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.35, equal to last quarter.

As of December 1, producers planned to farrow 520,000 sows and gilts in the December 2019-February 2020 quarter and 520,000 head during the March-May 2020 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2019 was 77.3 million head. This was up 3 percent from December 1, 2018, but down slightly from September 1, 2019.   Breeding inventory, at 6.46 million head, was up 2 percent from last year, and up slightly from the previous quarter.  Market hog inventory, at 70.9 million head, was up 3 percent from last year, but down slightly from last quarter.

The September-November 2019 pig crop, at 35.1 million head, was up 2 percent from 2018. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.17 million head, down 1 percent from 2018. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 49 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was a record high of 11.09 for the September-November period, compared to 10.76 last year.

United States hog producers intend to have 3.13 million sows farrow during the December 2019-February 2020 quarter, up 1 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period one year earlier, and up 5 percent from the same period two years earlier. Intended farrowings for March-May 2020, at 3.15 million sows, are up slightly from the same period one year earlier, and up 3 percent from the same period two years earlier.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 48 percent of the total United States hog inventory, unchanged from the previous year.



Cuming County Farm Service Agency Announces County Committee Election Results

Cuming County U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that Cassandra Guenther of Bancroft was elected to represent her local administrative area (LAA) during the recent county committee election.

“County Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA,” said Sarah Beck, County Executive Director. “They help deliver programs at the county level and work to serve the needs of local producers. All recently elected county committee members will take office in January 2020 and will be joining the existing committee.” 

Every FSA office is served to by a county committee made up of local farmers, ranchers and foresters who are elected by local producers. Nearly 7,800 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office.

County committee members impact the administration of FSA within a community by applying their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, emergency programs and eligibility.

County committee members impact producers through their decision making and help shape the culture of a local FSA office. They also ensure the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties and are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. Members conduct hearings and reviews as requested by the state committee, ensure underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters are fairly represented, make recommendations to the state committee on existing programs, monitor changes in farm programs and inform farmers of the purpose and provisions of FSA programs. They also assist with outreach and inform underserved producers such as beginning farmers, ranchers and foresters, about FSA opportunities.



Organic Grain Production Topic of January 30 Workshop

An organic farming workshop on January 30 will assist growers who are seeking information on what is required to grow organic corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum and forage crops.

Nebraska Extension Educator, Keith Glewen says this program is geared for those individuals who wish to learn more about the components of successful organic grain production.  He says, “Extension professionals across Nebraska have experienced an uptick in the number of questions pertaining to organic grain production. Therefore, we are providing this educational program as an attempt to answer questions and provide additional information as it relates to getting starting in this growing industry”.

The “Starting an Organic Grain Farming Operation – What You Need to Know” workshop will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska from 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The workshop features speakers experienced in various facets of organic crop production and marketing.  Nebraska Extension Educator, Gary Lesoing says, “The presenters have a wealth of experience with organic farming. They will provide important information about the transition to organic farming and tools for success for farming organically.”

Topics and presenters include:  The Mental Transitioning from Conventional to Organic Farming - Dave Welsch - Certified Organic Farmer since 1993, Milford, NE; Organic Certification- From Application to Certification Decisions - Clayton Blagburn, Certification Specialist, OneCert Organization Inc., Lincoln, NE; Organic Grain Marketing - Alex Wolf, Scoular Organic Grain Manager, Omaha, NE; and The Importance of Cover Crops in an Organic Rotation - Jim Starr, Joel & Jim Starr Partnership, Hastings, NE.  Joel Gruver, Associate Professor of Soil Science and Sustainability Ag – Western Illinois University will speak on two topics - Farming System Strategies for Success in Organics and Weed Management in Organic Row Crops.

The program will conclude with a speakers panel with the opportunity to interact with those directly involved in organic grain farming.

There is no fee to attend, but must pre-register by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 to ensure resource materials are available and for meal planning purposes.  Seating is limited.  Registration and more information available at:  https://enrec.unl.edu/neborganicgrainprogram. 

Sponsored by Nebraska Extension and the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.



USMCA will hurt Nebraska ranchers

The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska continue to oppose the pending U.S.- Mexico-Canada trade agreement because it will open the doors to more burdensome supplies of beef in the U.S. beef market.

Not only that, because there is no country-of-origin label provision in the agreement, packers can import Canadian and Mexican beef into the U.S., process and market it as a product of the United States.

The USMCA trade agreement will also heighten the annual beef trade deficit. The average annual trade deficit in cattle and beef products with Canada and Mexico has been $1.4 billion during the years of NAFTA (1994-2018), according to the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund – United Stockgrowers of America, citing information from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

The size of trade deficit flies in the face of President Trump’s efforts to Make America Great Again.

The United States imports more beef than any other country in the world, ICON President Jim Dinklage said.

“At times, the U.S. is a net import beef country, meaning that we import more live and raw unprocessed beef than we export,” Dinklage said. “Packers can bring in beef from other countries, depress the U.S. market, and then falsely label it as U.S. beef. It’s a sweet deal for them, but a raw deal for ranchers. Live feeder calf markets are down $150-$200 per head from last year.”

Congress could soften the detrimental impact of U.S beef imports by requiring country-of-origin labels. The labels would allow consumers to know where their beef comes from.

Since NAFTA was enacted, 20% of America’s cattle producers, 25% of U.S. livestock auction yards, 48 meatpacking plants and 75% of all U.S. cattle feedlots have gone out of business, according to R-CALF / USA.

The USMCA has not yet been ratified by the U.S. Senate. It can still be modified, similar to the way that stronger labor standards, enforcement mechanisms, and improvements to environmental protection were added to the agreement before it came up for a vote Dec. 19 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ICON urges cattlemen to call their senators and tell them not to support the USMCA unless it requires country of origin labels for beef.



NE Agri-Business Assoc. 2020 Soil School
February 5th and 6th, 2020
Quality Inn and Conference Center, Grand Island, NE
                                   
Soils School 2020: An Advanced Topics Shortcourse, co-sponsored by the  Institute Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Agri-Business Association will be on February 5th and 6th  at the Quality Inn and Conference Center in Grand Island, NE.

Soils School 2020 has been specifically designed for employees to go into depth about the topics of soil.  Leading experts from the University of Nebraska will be presenting the latest up-to-date information.

The price for registration is $300.00 for NeABA and $400.00 for non-members. The registration fee includes lunch for both days, breaks, and handouts.  Please contact us at the Association Office with any questions at 402-476-1528 or at info@na-ba.com.  To register online, go here.... www.na-ba.com.



Free Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics this January

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers at five sites across the state in January. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Sites and Dates
    Norfolk — Friday, January 3
    Fairbury — Friday, January 10
    North Platte — Thursday, January 16
    Norfolk — Wednesday, January 22
    Valentine — Thursday, January 23

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Legal Aid of Nebraska, North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



AGP Commends Passage of Biodiesel Tax Incentive

Ag Processing Inc a cooperative (AGP) commends Congressional leaders for passage of a five-year extension of the federal biodiesel tax incentive, which was signed and enacted into law by President Trump late on Friday of last week.  Passage of the extension, included as a component of the FY 2020 government funding package, was the result of many biodiesel producers and stakeholders working together at the grassroots level and in Washington, DC to support this vital industry.  The $1.00/gallon biodiesel tax incentive, which expired in 2017, was extended retroactively for 2018 and 2019 and will be in place for calendar years 2020, 2021, and 2022.  

AGP’s Chief Executive Officer Keith Spackler welcomed the extension and said “We want to thank our Congressional supporters for their efforts to move this five-year extension forward at a time of uncertainty for the biofuels industry.  AGP has long supported biodiesel and its importance to farmers, AGP, and AGP’s cooperative member-owners cannot be overstated.  We look forward to the positive impact the extension of the biodiesel tax incentive will have on soybean prices and U.S. biodiesel production.”  

Troy Alberts, Senior Vice President for Refined Oils and Renewable Fuels and a member of the National Biodiesel Board’s Governing Committee, spoke about the market dynamics of the biodiesel industry and AGP’s leading presence, as both a biodiesel producer and feedstock provider.  “The multi-year extension will support and provide certainty for AGP’s integrated soybean processing platform and improve demand for soybean oil used in the production of biodiesel.  Soybean oil is currently the primary feedstock for the industry.”  Alberts also noted the important role the biofuels industry has in supporting farmers, rural American jobs, and providing cleaner-burning fuels for the environment.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during November 2019 totaled 9.13 million, up from 8.31 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Nebraska egg production during November totaled 225 million eggs, up from 203 million in 2018. November egg production per 100 layers was 2,469 eggs, compared to 2,444 eggs in 2018.

IOWA:  Iowa egg production during November 2019 was 1.42 billion eggs, down 3 percent from last month but up 3 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during November 2019 was 58.0 million, up 1 percent from last month but down 1 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for November were 2,443, down 4 percent from last month but up 3 percent from last year.

November Egg Production Up 4 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.50 billion during November 2019, up 4 percent from last year. Production included 8.32 billion table eggs, and 1.17 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.09 billion were broiler-type and 87.9 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during November 2019 totaled 402 million, up 2 percent from last year. November egg production per 100 layers was 2,364 eggs, up 2 percent from November 2018.
                                   
Total layers in the United States on December 1, 2019 totaled 403 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 403 million layers consisted of 341 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 58.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.55 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on December 1, 2019, averaged 78.6 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from December 1, 2018.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during November 2019 totaled 47.9 million, up 2 percent from November 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 47.9 million on December 1, 2019, down 5 percent from a year ago.  Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 198 thousand during November 2019, down 18 percent from November 2018.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 4 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during November 2019 totaled 795 million, up 4 percent from November 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 709 million on December 1, 2019, up 2 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 8.17 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during November 2019, up 3 percent from November 2018.



Yersinia Infections Taking Advantage of Beef Cattle
Russ Daly – South Dakota State University Extension Veterinarian

Of all the germs associated with cattle illnesses during the challenging summer and fall, a pathogen that’s not one of the usual suspects has been identified in several cases of cattle death losses in Eastern South Dakota.

Historically, the bacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has been found in a wide variety of animal species, but only rarely associated with disease. Cattle, sheep, goats, deer, dogs, and cats are some of the animals the germ’s been found in. Because it’s so common, yet apparently not very dangerous by itself, many consider it to be an opportunist – a germ that only causes illness in animals debilitated from other reasons. As it turns out, the environmental conditions present in much of the area have likely contributed to its emergence, also.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was identified in three cases from different farms across eastern South Dakota submitted to the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Lab during November, 2019. Veterinarians had been called out by producers to investigate cattle that quickly went downhill after the sudden onset of illness.

The most common sign in affected animals in each case was severe diarrhea, resulting in rapid weight loss and death. The sick cattle included beef cows on pastures and 2 separate groups of 8-month old and 4-month old Holstein calves. Numbers of sick animals within groups ranged from 7 out of 100, 15/200, and 16/60.

When veterinarians performed necropsy examinations on the dead animals, the findings were similar across these geographically-separated animal groups. Inflammation in the small and large intestines and enlarged lymph nodes in the gut were consistent findings.

The clinical signs, as well as the necropsy findings, had veterinarians thinking about another, more common infection that causes diarrhea and death losses in cattle: Salmonella. But cultures at the lab were negative for this germ. The diarrhea in the cow herd had vets thinking about Johne’s Disease – but animals usually don’t die so rapidly from Johne’s Disease. The identification of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was the common thread.

Another common thread, however, was that animals in all 3 of these cases had other health issues, notably pneumonia. In one of the cases, calves had been dealing with chronic pneumonia prior to the onset of the diarrhea. In the cases submitted to the diagnostic lab, the pneumonia present in the animals was not severe enough to cause illness, let alone death. But it did illustrate that affected cattle were dealing with other infections at the time they succumbed to the Yersinia infection.

The environments these animals resided in likely played a role, too. The beef cow herd was still grazing a pasture that had been flooded this summer and fall. One of the Holstein groups was housed in a bedded pack that was extremely wet and manure-filled. While many intestinal germs thrive in warm weather, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis prefers wet, cold conditions. Therefore, its growth can outstrip that of other germs on cold wet pastures or bedded packs this time of year.

It’s also worth pointing out that Yersinia pseudotuberculosis can make people sick also, causing symptoms similar to food poisoning. It’s always important to take cleanliness precautions after working with cattle, especially sick ones.

Fortunately, veterinarians got good responses when they used certain antibiotics to treat sick animals on the affected farms. Since no vaccine exists for Yersinia infections, prevention has to focus on other methods. While wet pastures might be hard to avoid in certain areas, keeping bedding clean and dry will diminish the environmental growth of this germ. Taking steps to decrease draining illnesses such as pneumonia will also help cattle to avoid this opportunistic germ.

It appears that these Yersinia infections are another gut-punch from Mother Nature after a summer and fall of wet, cool weather. It’s worth keeping this illness in mind as you care for your cattle this fall and winter and enlisting the aid of your veterinarian when this – or any other illness – is suspected in your cattle.



USDA Cold Storage November 2019 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30, 2019 were down 2 percent from the previous month but up 2 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 3 percent from the previous month but down 7 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 6 percent from the previous month but up 13 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 14 percent from last month and up 40 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2019 were down 10 percent from the previous month but up 1 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 42 percent from last month and down 17 percent from November 30, 2018.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2019 were down 1 percent from the previous month and down 2 percent from November 30, 2018.  Butter stocks were down 23 percent from last month but up 17 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were down 6 percent from last month and down 7 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 3 percent from last month and down 1 percent from a year ago.



USDA Report Affirms Feasibility of Dealer Trust 

A Dealer Statutory Trust would improve the recovery of livestock sellers in a dealer payment default while also allowing commerce to continue as usual, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released December 20.

In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress instructed USDA to examine the feasibility of establishing a livestock Dealer Statutory Trust and provide a report within one year. Based on its analysis of industry data, public input, and experience with the livestock industry, USDA finds that it would be feasible to implement a livestock Dealer Statutory Trust.

Under current law, farmers, ranchers, and livestock auctions have been devastated when livestock dealers default on payment. The sellers often do not have the ability to get the livestock back for which they were not paid and recover little from the dealer’s bond. While the Eastern Livestock default, which cost livestock sellers tens of millions of dollars, is the best-known example of this, the USDA report analyzes 82 additional dealer defaults occurring from October 1, 2013 – June 30, 2019.

A Dealer Statutory Trust would give unpaid sellers of livestock the legal right to reclaim livestock or, if they have been resold, proceeds from livestock in the unfortunate event of a livestock dealer payment default. The USDA report finds existing statutory trusts in other segments of agriculture (sales of livestock to packers as well as poultry, fruit, and vegetables sales) are effective in improving financial recoveries and similar results could be expected under a livestock Dealer Statutory Trust.

“We appreciate the in-depth analysis of USDA on this important issue,” said Livestock Marketing Association President Tom Frey. “These findings will be helpful as we work with Congress in 2020 to get livestock auctions and producers the increased certainty and predictability of payment they deserve.”

Creation of a Dealer Trust is supported by the livestock industry, including the Livestock Marketing Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, United States Cattlemen’s Association, American Sheep Industry Association, and American Farm Bureau Federation. Prior to the 2018 Farm Bill calling for the USDA report, the bipartisan Securing All Livestock Equitably (SALE) Act, which would have created a Dealer Statutory Trust, was introduced in the House and Senate.

Additional key findings in the USDA report include:
-    A Dealer Statutory Trust could improve sellers' chances of obtaining full recoveries.
    Under a Dealer Statutory Trust, livestock purchase payments made to sellers within 90 days before a dealer files bankruptcy would not be considered preferential transfers and could not be reclaimed from sellers.
-    Establishment of a livestock Dealer Statutory Trust would likely have little effect on buyer and seller behavior in livestock markets. In general, commerce would continue as usual.
-    Implementation of a livestock Dealer Statutory Trust would be unlikely to significantly impact credit availability or lender behavior.



Registration Open for Cover Crops Conference

Registration is open for the Midwest Cover Crops Council Annual Conference, Feb. 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo.

The event will be at the KCI Expo Center, says Charles Ellis, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agricultural engineering. Ellis also serves on the MCCC board of directors. Twelve states and one Canadian province belong to the council.

Ellis says the conference will have sessions on both row crop and cattle operations due to the large number of producers in the Kansas City area producing both grain and livestock.

Event sponsors include MU Extension, K-State Research and Extension, University of Nebraska Extension and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Speakers include faculty from MU, University of Nebraska, and Kansas State University, as well as cattle producers and representatives from NRCS and cattle companies. Sessions include:
- Selecting and Managing Cover Crops
- Weed and Herbicide Interactions Using Cover Crops
- Incorporating Cover Crops in Cattle Operations
- Cover Crop Environmental and Economic Benefits
- Cash Crop Interactions With Cover Crops
- Farmer Panel Discussion

Sessions will look at using cover crops in row crop production, livestock and grazing, as well as environmental and economic issues. Details are available at mccc.msu.edu/about/meetings. The meeting is open to the public.

Register online at cvent.me/E5WdBD or mccc.msu.edu/about/meetings. Learn more about MCCC and cover crops at mccc.msu.edu.



Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Wraps Up 2019 by Reaching Consumers more than 1 Billion times with Content Showcasing Real Beef and Real Farmers and Ranchers

 Two years after it was relaunched, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand has had a reach of more than 1 billion consumers with drool worthy and informative digital marketing and social media content. Funded by the Beef Checkoff and developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand aims to inspire families to explore their culinary talents with nutritious and delicious beef, while connecting consumers with stories of the farmers and ranchers who raise real beef. 

Today, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is reaching more consumers more frequently and more effectively than ever before. According to market research, when people are aware of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner., they are more likely to eat beef more often and feel good about purchasing and preparing beef for their families

“For a brand to have a reach of more than 1 billion in today’s crowded marketing environment is a major milestone,” said Laurie Munns, a cattle rancher from Hansel Valley, Utah and Federation Division Chairman, at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “This achievement also demonstrates the equity of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand and its ability to continue to meet the needs of today’s discerning consumers. It’s clear that consumers want more information about beef’s great taste, its powerful nutrition profile and the hardworking farmers and ranchers that raise the beef they eat.”

Since the introduction of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand more than 25 years ago, NCBA has continued to evolve marketing strategies and adapt to changing media landscapes. This evolution included a shift away from television advertising to focus on digital marketing efforts. Specifically, during the past two years, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand has developed and executed several successful integrated digital marketing campaigns. A few highlights include:

Rethink the Ranch
Introduced in 2017 in conjunction with the relaunch of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, this campaign featured the people behind beef.  From farm to plate and everything in-between, this video series gave consumers a look inside the lives of real farmers and ranchers and how they continue to produce more high-quality beef more sustainably than ever before.

Nicely Done, Beef
This ongoing campaign highlights beef’s greatest assets - it’s pleasurable eating experience, the amazing people who raise beef and the nutrients beef provides. These messages are delivered through a consistent “nicely done” creative wrapper, with various ads communicating everything from “Nicely done, beef. You prove that meat substitutes are just that. Substitutes.” to “Nicely done, beef. You build strong muscles. No protein shake required.”

The Right Way
Lunched in October, this recent campaign from Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. introduces consumers to the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, a  Beef Checkoff-funded voluntary program ensuring  U.S. beef is produced under stringent animal care standards, resulting in safe, high-quality meat.

Drool Log
To celebrate the holiday season, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. put a spin on the iconic Yule Log with a new mouthwatering video. The two-hour long video features a beautiful prime rib roast cooking to perfection on a rotisserie over an open flame. 

Chuck Knows Beef
In addition to these, and many other creative and informative, campaigns, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. created the first all-knowing beef virtual assistant, Chuck Knows Beef in 2018. Powered by Google Artificial Intelligence, Chuck can serve up recipes and answer a variety of beef-related questions – from nutrition, cut and cooking information to how beef is raised. Chuck can be accessed on a computer or smart phone at ChuckKnowsBeef.com or through Amazon Alexa or Google Home smart devices.

As consumers continue to have an interest in where their food comes, the nutrients it provides and how to prepare it in new and innovative ways, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand will serve as an informative, convenient and mouthwatering resource. Thanks to these ongoing efforts, consumers can continue to feel good about choosing beef for the center of their plates.

To learn more about Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. and see the brand’s latest marketing campaigns, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. 

 

Full-Page Ad: Fake Meat or Dog Food.... Can you tell which is meant for human consumption?

Today, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom placed a full-page ad in The Los Angeles Times questioning if the everyday consumer can tell the difference between the ingredients found in dog food and “plant-based” meats. This is the latest in a series of print and video ads raising awareness about fake meat.

Despite 76% of Americans believing fake meat is healthy, these products are ultra-processed synthetic imitations. According to the NOVA classification system, ultra-processed means “formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use, typically created by series of industrial techniques and processes.” The National Institutes of Health found that ultra-processed foods can cause weight gain and overeating, which can contribute to a motley of health problems.

Over the last six months, CCF has run ads in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other publications to debunk the “plant-based” myth. In addition, CleanFoodFacts.com provides helpful tools and content that helps consumers better understand what’s in fake meat.



Court Approves Dean Foods Debtor-in-Possession Financing
Dean Foods Company announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has entered a final order granting the Company authority to access the full amount of its $850 million in debtor-in-possession ("DIP") financing. The Company had previously received interim approval from the Court to access up to $475 million of the DIP financing. The Court also granted all other relief sought, including providing final approvals for certain other of the Company's "First Day Motions" intended to support the business.

Eric Beringause, president and chief executive officer of Dean Foods, said, "We are pleased to have received final Court approval of our DIP credit facility. I can't thank our employees enough for their continued dedication and hard work, and our suppliers, customers and other partners for their support and patience as we move through this process. We remain focused on providing customers with an uninterrupted supply of high-quality dairy products."

As previously announced, Dean Foods and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy code on Nov. 12.

Additional information is available on the restructuring page of the Company's website, www.DeanFoodsRestructuring.com.



USDA Grants Mr. Claus Movement Permit in U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued a movement permit to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 7 p.m. December 24, 2019 and 7 a.m. December 25, 2019, through or over any U.S. border port.

“With a growing world population, Mr. Claus will have his busiest Christmas yet. At USDA, we want to ensure we are not hindering Mr. Claus’ important work of spreading Christmas Cheer for all to hear,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “Ease of access into the United States for Mr. Claus and his nine reindeer will ensure that children all over the country – including my own fourteen grandchildren – will wake up on Christmas morning with joy and filled with the spirit of the season. USDA issued this permit in advance and waived all applicable fees to help ensure a smooth trip on Christmas Eve night.”

In addition to the normal disease testing requirements, flying reindeer must undergo additional tests to ensure they will be able to safely handle significant changes in altitude and temperature throughout their journey, and are fit for landing on rooftops. On this year’s health certificate, the accredited veterinarian noted that one of the reindeer named Rudolph was positive for “red nose syndrome,” however, it was also explained that this is normal for him and not an animal health concern. The veterinarian also verified the reindeer have been vaccinated against any diseases they could encounter on their trip around the world.

At the request of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, APHIS also completed a courtesy welfare and humane treatment check of the reindeer facility. Mr. Claus and his staff passed with flying colors.

They will arrive pulling a wooden sleigh with jingling bells attached, filled with brightly wrapped gifts. Port personnel will clean and disinfect the runners and underside of the sleigh at the time of entry, and will also conduct a short visual inspection of the reindeer. Mr. Claus will also have his boots disinfected and will thoroughly wash his hands. These measures are intended to prevent the entry of any livestock diseases the team may encounter during deliveries to farms around the world prior to entering the United States.

“It would be a disaster for Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited, if my reindeer were to unintentionally bring in foot and mouth disease along with all the gifts,” explained Mr. Claus. “Why, something like that could put me out of business. That’s why we work all year to keep the reindeer healthy and take all possible precautions before and during our trip.”

Mr. Claus has also provided an advance list of what port personnel should expect upon their arrival. This includes a variety of food items, all of which come from approved locations and none of which pose a threat to U.S. animal or plant health.