Foster Farms certified as humane producer
California’s Foster Farms is the first major broiler chicken producer in the nation to carry the American Humane Association seal, ensuring consumers that its farms meet the nonprofit’s stringent animal […]
Sequester meat shortages months away, says USDA Secretary
The sequester likely won’t cause meat and poultry shortages for a while-thanks, in part, to union negotiations and USDA inspectors’ lack of email access. Furloughs to Food Safety and Inspection […]
Industry supports bill to rescind E15 waivers
The American Meat Institute joined a broad coalition of industry groups in support of legislation that would overturn waivers allowing gas containing 15 percent ethanol to be used for many […]
Vilsack: Several months before inspector furloughs kick in
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the agency is notifying its unions this week of possible worker furloughs due to mandated U.S. budget cuts, meaning it could be several months before […]
Skyrocketing RIN prices signal ethanol blend wall imminent
Prices of renewable fuel credits, needed by refiners to comply with the nation’s Renewable Fuel Standard, have skyrocketed over the past few months, an indication to some that the dreaded […]
Important PAC reception in Fresno next Monday evening
The California Poultry Federation’s March board meeting is coming up next Tuesday morning. The Poultry PAC reception is set for Monday evening at the Piccadilly Inn on Shaw Avenue as well, and this is an important event I urge you to attend. You can contribute to either the state or federal PAC and also have the opportunity to bid on some silent auction wine selections. The poultry industry faces some interesting, but tough challenges this year, and as always your participation helps us in both Sacramento and Washington, DC.
Efforts to avoid sequester fail; USDA says it will work to minimize
Today (March 1) is deadline day for the sequester, the automatic budget cuts of $85 billion that will hit the Pentagon and federal agencies. The sequester becomes official today when President Obama will be required by law to issue a sequestration order by 11:59 p.m. tonight. Meanwhile, Congress yesterday abandoned efforts to avert the sequester and left Washington.
IFT study shows benefits of traceability
The Institute of Food Technologists conducted two pilot projects to test and study various tracing practices for chicken, fresh produce and other processed foods, finding that if a food company […]
Shutdown of kosher chicken plant stirs supply concerns ahead of Passover
Empire Kosher was expected to resume production Monday at its Mifflintown, Pa., plant following a short-term closure last week that had Passover celebrants worried about supply for their Seder meals. […]
NCC President Brown outlines principles of food manufacturers immigration coalition
In testimony delivered today to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, National Chicken Council (NCC) President Mike Brown testified on behalf of a broad food manufacturers coalition, including, about the need for a stable and permanent workforce that can help sustain the rural communities where meat and poultry facilities operate. Today’s hearing, "From H-2A to a Workable Agricultural Guestworker Program," is the second in a series of several hearings on immigration issues in the subcommittee.