Midwest drought claims poultry producer

The bankruptcy of a California poultry producer is showing in detail how the Midwestern drought is still rippling through the U.S. economy. Citing the soaring cost of grains used in […]

Economic data suggest RFS waiver would reduce corn prices more than $2.00 per bushel

A full waiver of the 2013 Renewable Fuels Standard requirement would reduce the price of corn by more than $2.00 per bushel, according to economic data cited in comments submitted today by the National Chicken Council (NCC) to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of a full, one-year waiver of the RFS.

NCC also hand delivered almost 10,000 individual comments from those whose livelihoods depend on the chicken industry, almost three quarters of which came from chicken farmers.

USDA intends to renew National Poultry Improvement Plan for two years

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) gave notice in the  October 1 issue of the Federal Register that the Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the charter of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan for a two year time period. The purpose of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan is to maintain and ensure industry involvement in federal administration of matters pertaining to poultry health. 

Chicken consumption on a boneless weight basis surpasses beef consumption for the first time,

Per capita chicken consumption, measured on a boneless weight basis, surpassed beef consumption for the first in 2010, according to a report in the September 2012 edition of Amber Waves from USDA’s Economic Research Service.  Fifty-eight pounds of chicken per person on a boneless, edible basis were available for Americans to eat in 2010, compared with 56.7 pounds of beef.

Oil prices, global demand push food higher

Food prices are up, but the global economy — rather than a lack of rain in the U.S. Corn Belt — are likely to blame, a U.S. food marketing expert says.

John Stanton, professor of food marketing at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, says increasing global demand for crops such as corn is putting pressure on U.S. food prices.  "Price increases from the droughts are likely to have short-term effects, but global issues can have a longer and greater impact," Stanton said in a news release.