Submit comment or question
Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.
Comment Policy: Urner Barry has made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. In all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by Urner Barry.
Email Address is required. Password is required.
HPAI H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle – What We Know
In March 2024, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1), commonly referred to as bird flu, was confirmed in domestic U.S. livestock for the first time in a dairy operation in Texas. Since then, the virus has spread to 331 dairy operations across 14 states, raising widespread uncertainty throughout the dairy and livestock markets. Industry participants have raised concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on consumer perception and demand for dairy and meat products, though government agencies reiterate that the national food supply remains safe. Expana is closely monitoring the...
The Retail Rundown: Leaping Towards Labor Day
Labor Day weekend, often viewed as the unofficial end of summer, is just two weeks out. Many families are seizing the opportunity for one last vacation, boosting foodservice spending.
For some students, summer break has already concluded, and back-to-school shopping for essentials like breakfast and lunch items is in full swing. Among retailers, Labor Day is recognized as the final major grilling event of the year, marking the last big push to promote barbecue favorites.
Last week, boneless skinless chicken breasts were featured at $4.43 discounted, 18 cents above...
Penn State Tests Dairy Herd for Bird Flu in Support of State Surveillance Effort
Animal health experts in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have announced that — out of an abundance of caution — they will test the University’s dairy herd for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, under a voluntary state testing program.
The announcement comes amidst an outbreak of bird flu that has affected dairy cattle in more than a dozen states since March. As of July 19, the virus had not been found in Pennsylvania dairy herds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state animal...
PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 10 - Bird Flu: The Saga Continues
MDARD: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Three New Dairy Herds
Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in additional dairy herds from Clinton, Gratiot, and Ionia counties. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.
Regardless of species, biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI. On May 1, 2024, Director Boring issued the Determination of Extraordinary Emergency HPAI Risk Reduction...
Herbruck's Poultry Ranch Laying Off About 400 Staff in Michigan Due to Bird Flu
Herbruck's Poultry Ranch is temporarily laying off about 400 employees in Michigan due to the spread of bird flu.
The company's chief human resources officer Stephanie Kempa said the virus impacted the company's hen population at some farms in Ionia County.
"The company plans to rehire many positions as hen replenishing and egg production increases," Kempa said in a letter to the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
ANALYSIS: Checking-In on Turkey Market Supply Factors
Although mid-May trade conditions have been slow to shift the undertone surrounding whole-body turkeys and raw materials, there is no shortage of variables which are weighing heavily on the minds of market participants as they refine their expectations for the road ahead. Central to many turkey-related conversations remains disease.
As illustrated by this week’s chart, year-to-date (YTD) commercial HPAI outbreaks have risen about 84%, or 229.6 thousand head, when compared to a similar period one year prior...
FEATURED STORIES
ANALYSIS: China’s Beef Imports Sink 5.7% M-o-M in September; Tonnage Lowest Since 2020
ANALYSIS: Breaking Out the Chicken Production Roadmap
ANALYSIS: Turkeys Stuck at Home, Exports Drop in August
ANALYSIS: China’s Sept 2024 Meat Imports Slump 4.3% M-o-M; Ends Two-Month Growth Streak