INDUSTRY NEWS

On the heels of the eighth annual National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s Antibiotic Symposium, held Nov. 13-15 in Overland Park, Kansas, both Wendy’s and McDonald’s released updated policies and concerns regarding the beef both companies are sourcing, namely, in regards to the antibiotics producers are using to keep those animals healthy.

Evolving market dynamics make it easy to underestimate how the impacts and costs of trade issues will continue to grow in 2019. Many agricultural markets have been impacted thus far, and the damage will grow and spread unless resolutions are forthcoming promptly. Trade issues will have accumulating impacts in a variety of ways as more time passes.

As the partial government shutdown completes its fourth week, the gaps left by many government agencies whose responsibilities are left unattended until further notice are starting to show. One of the most far-reaching concerns is the livestock market reports usually provided by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The lawsuit filed by the company that makes Tofurky meat substitute (Turtle Island Foods Inc.) and the Good Food Institute (GFI) is shaping up to be a drawn-out battle over a number of legal issues – this, before the question of the legality of the state’s definition of “meat” for commercial purposes is even broached.

President Donald Trump’s heated debate with Congress over the inclusion of $5.7 billion in funding to build his border wall with Mexico led to a government shutdown that began at midnight on Dec. 21 and has since stretched past two weeks with no end in sight.

As we wrap up 2018, it’s worth a moment to pause and consider the amazing day-to-day performance and accomplishments of the U.S. cattle and beef industry.