Author: staff

Residents of the United States and Europe have increasingly eaten more meat since 1960, but the two regions’ meat consumption has diverged over the past 15 years.  Since 2010, U.S. meat consumption per capita has risen by 10 percent, while Europe has seen a nearly 19 percent decline, according to data from the United Nations and U.S. Department of Agriculture.  This year, the U.S.’s annual per capita consumption of poultry, pork, beef and other red meat products is estimated to reach 227 pounds per person. Europe’s estimated rate is 152 pounds per person.  U.S. meat consumption had been dropping at…

I’ve never accused the MAHA movement of being naïve or unsophisticated. The messaging and media strategies are effective and potent — think attractive influencers with professionally curated content. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the ringmaster. He’s a skillful litigator with decades of experience spewing disinformation, much of which is directed at agriculture. But as the Department of Health and Human Service’s Secretary, RFK Jr’s focus is mostly on dismantling public health. He’s wielded a sledgehammer to completely replace the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with friendly faces, weakened vaccine schedules, gutted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and…

Winners of the World Ag Expo’s 2026 Top-10 New Products Contest have been released, and each product will be showcased Feb. 10 through 12 at the event in Tulare, California. The field of new products was submitted by exhibitors, showcasing innovations ranging from simple solutions to advanced technologies. The competition was evaluated by a panel of judges composed of farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals. During the event, recipients will be noted on show maps, identified with “Top-10 Winner” flags at the show, and recognized at World Ag Expo Opening Ceremonies that Tuesday. It’s part of a competition conducted annually by…

A beef processing plant in Riverside, California, will be shut down by JBS in February, eliminating 374 employment positions as the U.S. cattle market lingers amid record high beef prices and low cattle inventories. Reuters reported that Swift Beef Company plant will close for good on Feb. 2, as informed by a notice that was filed with the California Employment Development Department. The facility is situated in the eastern part of Los Angeles and is involved in processing beef for retail in supermarket meat cases but is not a slaughtering facility for cattle. According to JBS, the shutdown of its…

An experimental pain-relieving drug delivery method for farm animals using microneedle patches may not have delivered an effective dose, but it took a pivotal step that offers new leads for innovation. Jeremy Powell, veterinarian and professor of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the project originated from a simple question: could livestock receive longer-lasting pain management without repeated drug administration by farmers? “Could we determine a method by which we could provide some analgesic therapy to help control pain in livestock species and improve animal welfare all at the same time?” said Powell, who…

Colorado has been ground zero for policy surrounding wolf reinductions, where the emotional and financial toll on livestock producers is reaching a tipping point. Editor’s Note: This is the first in a three-part series exploring the impact that wolf reintroduction in the U.S. has had on livestock operations. Caution: This article includes graphic images of livestock carcasses. At Coberly Creek Ranch in Routt County, Colorado, Merrilee Ellis had just found another dead calf. Three days after Ellis and her family trucked their calves home and turned them into the hay fields, this animal’s body laid half-eaten in the spring snow. Only…

A study from Michigan State University found that when domestic farm employment declines by 10 percent, food prices of labor-intensive crops increase by around 3 percent. Specialty crop growers with the advocacy campaign Grow it Here said in a webinar Wednesday that wage increases with temporary visa programs and an overall decline in the availability of immigrant labor has impacted their ability to produce food and compete with foreign producers.  Lisa Tate, a citrus and avocado producer in southern California, said labor shortage problems aren’t always immediately felt in the food system but have long-term effects on a farmers’ ability…

Across Tribal Nations, education has long been a foundation for community strength, cultural continuity, and self-determination. Today, as Native students pursue careers connected to agriculture, natural resources, public service, and community development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Tribal College Program offers essential support. The program opens pathways that help students grow academically, professionally, and personally while honoring the sovereignty and priorities of their communities. It represents a commitment to partnership that is grounded in respect for Tribal Nations and their role in shaping the future of agriculture. The USDA Tribal College Program exists to strengthen the educational capacity of Tribal…

The final four teams in the 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge will go head-to-head in front of a live audience of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives on Jan. 12 at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California. Now in its 12th year, the Challenge, offered by AFBF in partnership with Farm Credit, is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their emerging ideas and businesses in the agricultural industry. The final four were selected from 10 semifinalist teams that participated in a virtual pitch first round. At the AFBF Convention, they have a chance to be the Farm…

Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project has reached a major milestone, surpassing $8 million in total donations since the program launched in 2013 — a record that reflects more than a decade of customer-driven support for farmers, agricultural education and rural communities. What began as a simple effort to recognize the farmers behind the food served in Culver’s restaurants has grown into a nationwide initiative supporting the long-term viability of agriculture. In 2025 alone, guests and local fundraising efforts generated more than $1.5 million, marking one of the strongest years in the program’s history. “Behind every meal we serve in our…