Ag in the News

11/26/2007

National and International

American Foods recalls beef from seven states
American Foods Group on Saturday announced a voluntary recall of nearly 96,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination. MORE!

Maple Leaf hog plant hitting initial targets
A second shift at a Maple Leaf Foods pork plant in Manitoba is off to a good start, a company spokesperson told Resource News International. MORE!

National Pork Board approves 2008 budget and operating plan
The National Pork Board has approved a $51 million budget and operating plan for 2008 that aims to address five critical issues facing the U.S. pork industry: the competitive advantage for U.S. pork; the safeguard and expansion of international markets; domestic pork expenditures; the trust and image of the U.S. pork industry; and the development of human capital. MORE!

USDA sees downward pressure on beef and cattle prices
While wholesale beef prices have dropped twice as much as fed cattle prices since April, squeezing packer margins, there are several indications that both fed cattle and feeder cattle prices will continue to decline, USDA said in a recent report. MORE!

Advisory committee on foreign animal and poultry diseases seeks nominations
Nominations have opened for two-year membership appointments to the committee that advises the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on actions necessary to prevent the introduction of foreign livestock and poultry diseases into the United States. MORE!

Willow Brook introduces spicy chicken and sausage items
Springfield, Mo.-based Willow Brook Foods announced an addition to its lineup of heat-and-eat foods: Kettle Fried 3 Pepper Blend Breaded Chicken Tenders and Sausage Bites. MORE!

Wrap Up

Strong start to the week. Corn, soybean and wheat futures posted active followthrough buying overnight after strong gains last Friday. Soybean futures were 11 to 13 cents higher, corn was 4 to 5 cents higher and Chicago wheat was mostly 10 to 16 cents higher overnight.

Another beef recall. A Wisconsin company has recalled 96,000 lbs. of beef due to potential E.coli contamination, and the size of the recall could grow. The company involved processes beef for wholesale and that means it may have been repackaged and be nearly untraceable. Meanwhile, Topps Meat Co., the firm involved in the second largest recall in history, has now filed for bankruptcy. The firm initially closed after the recall.

A sorghum checkoff. USDA's Ag Marketing Service is seeking comments regarding the establishment of an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for grain sorghum and sorghum silage -- a checkoff program. USDA is looking for substantive comments and data that will help refine the provisions of the Order so that it will meet the needs of the sorghum industry.

Oil back near $99. Oil prices moved back toward $99 per barrel as colder-than-normal temps were seen as the unofficial start of winter began. There remains talk about OPEC boosting output, but the cartel doesn't meet again until Dec. 5.