Ag in the News

04/07/2008

National

Poultry competitors' labeling lawsuit against Tyson gets day in court
A federal judge will hear motions on Monday and Tuesday as the first step in a lawsuit filed by two poultry companies against Tyson Foods Inc., related to the Springdale, Ark.-based protein giant's "raised without antibiotics" labeling claim. MORE!

Cattle heads containing SRMs recalled
Elkhorn Valley Packing LLC in Harper, Kan., is voluntarily recalling approximately 406,000 pounds of frozen cattle heads with tonsils not completely removed, which is not compliant with regulations that require the removal of tonsils from cattle of all ages, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced. MORE!

FSIS issues guidance for waivers of regulatory requirements for technology
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a guidance on requesting a waiver of food safety and FSIS regulatory requirements for the use of new technology. MORE!

APHIS announces amendments to pork import rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to allow uncooked pork and pork products processed in regions where classical swine fever (CSF) exists to be imported. MORE!

New perishables president for Safeway
Kelly Griffith, who had been president of Safeway's Portland, Ore., division, will take over as president of perishables for the retailer following the resignation of Des Hague. MORE!

Wrap Up

Mixed overnight trade. Corn futures were 1 to 5 cents higher and soybeans were 5 to 9 cents higher in overnight trade. Chicago wheat was mixed, but mostly 1 to 4 cents lower.

India wheat peg unchanged. India's wheat crop is still estimated at 74.81 million metric tons (MMT), unchanged from their prior estimate, according to the country's ag minister. Some had expected an adjustment due to recent heavy rains. The ag minister indicated there could be some damage from the rains, but damage assessment is still ongoing.

South Korea bird flu situation. The country has confirmed two cases of the virulent H5N1 bird flu virus. Last week, 300,000 chickens were destroyed and another 6,500 ducks were eradicated over the weekend. Authorities are on high alert in the southwestern area of the country.

China prices and grain supply. China reports that prices for several key products like pork have been easing the past six weeks. They cite warming spring weather and other factors as having tempered prices. Pork and beef prices have fallen 4% to 6% the past six weeks. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiaboa said the country has 150 MMT to 200 MMT of grain reserves and can feed itself if there are no major crop problems this growing season.