eggs
Bird-flu results: Fewer eggs and a 25-percent price increase
Egg prices will run an average 25 percent higher this year than expected two months ago - and at record high prices - because of the worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit U.S. poultry farms, says the government. In its monthly WASDE report, the USDA estimated that the bird flu, which has affected 47.1 million fowl, would reduce egg production by 5 percent this year and by 4.5 percent in 2016.
Bird flu’s implications for large-scale operators
The worst epidemic of avian influenza ever to hit U.S. poultry farms resulted in the death or culling of 48.1 million fowl, most of them turkeys and egg-laying hens. Iowa, the No. 1 egg state, could see "total economic damage" of $957 million, says Fortune. U.S. egg production, estimated down by 5 percent this year, is not expected to recover until 2016.
Retail egg prices sharply higher, up 42 percent in a week
The U.S. average egg price in grocery stores zoomed by 55 cents a dozen for Grade A Large eggs from the preceding week, a 42-percent increase, said the USDA weekly retail report. Egg prices are rising as a result of the worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit U.S. poultry flocks. Stores sold a dozen Grade A Large eggs for $1.87, compared to $1.32 a dozen in the week ending June 5.
Plenty of holiday turkey despite avian influenza losses
"Much has been made of a potential supply disruption impacting the availability of turkeys during the Thanksgiving holiday," say economists John Newton and Todd Kuethe of U-Illinois, who rebut the idea at farmdoc daily. They say the monthly Cold Storage report shows turkey stockpiles are 5-percent larger than a year ago and other USDA reports show turkey production from January-April was up by 7 percent from the same point in 2014.
Arkansas bill: Burden our farmers, we’ll ban your wine
The Arkansas House passed a bill "that outlaws wine imports from any state that imposes a 'substantial burden' on the Arkansas agriculture industry," says the Associated Press.
Prices lower for pork, higher for eggs, at supermarket
After hitting a record high in 2014, the supermarket price of pork will drop by 3.5 percent this year, the government said in updating its forecast for food price inflation. Hog farmers have expanded production at the same time the strong dollar discourages exports, so the pork supply for Americans is getting larger. It was the second month in a row that the USDA lowered its forecast for pork prices.
After three-week surge, fewer bird-flu outbreaks reported
The worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit the U.S. poultry industry is losing its punch, says Agri-Pulse, with fewer outbreaks being reported on a weekly basis and "leading industry and government officials to discuss steps to prevent a similar outbreak in the fall."
USDA pays $72 million to farms in bird-flu indemnities
The government has paid $71.9 million to producers as indemnities for poultry flocks that were victims of the worst epidemic of avian influenza ever to hit the United States.
Is Prop 2 to blame for sharp drop in California egg production?
Egg farms in California produced 323 million eggs in May, a drop of 16 percent from the same month in 2014, says the Chicken and Eggs report.
Bird-flu vaccine needs more work, only 60-percent effective
The government said it will not approve release of a vaccine against the worst U.S. epidemic of avian influenza in poultry because none of the drugs now available works well enough. "Currently, there is lack of a well matched, effective vaccine for HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] from the public and private sectors. The vaccine currently available offers just 60 percent effectiveness in chickens, leaving 4 in 10 birds unprotected," said the USDA.
Bird-flu epidemic is bigger still, depending how you count
The avian influenza epidemic that erupted six months ago is the worst ever to hit the U.S. poultry industry. The USDA's running tally climbed to 181 confirmed poultry cases with 41 milllion fowl, mostly chickens and turkeys, lost to disease or euthanized to prevent its spread. Harvest Public Media says the epidemic is bigger still, because of the way the USDA keeps its totals - the running tally counts "only those birds that are involved in food production. Left out are wild birds, which officials blame for the start and the spread of the outbreak."
Egg prices plateau, but how long to rebuild hen flocks?
Grade A Large eggs are selling for an average $1.46 a dozen at grocery stores, little changed from the $1.49 a dozen a week ago but below the $1.54 seen a year ago, says the USDA's weekly egg report.
Six states appeal dismissal of California egg lawsuit
Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky and Iowa petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals to reinstate their challenge of a California law on housing for egg-laying hens.
California egg law a sign of public support of animal welfare
Egg farmers in California are converting their laying houses to comply with a state law taking effect on Jan 1 that mandates more freedom of movement for the hens, notes a Christian Science Monitor story on humane treatment of livestock.
New California egg rules take effect Jan 1
Two new laws take effect in California on Jan 1 - a requirement for egg farmers to give laying hens more room to move around and a ban on import of eggs from outside California if the hens are not given similar freedom of movement.
Egg producers prepare for new California rule
California's new humane-treatment rule for egg-laying hens takes effect on Jan 1 and is having an impact on producers as far away as Pennsylvania, says Bloomberg.
US judge dismisses challenge of California egg law
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller dismissed a lawsuit by six egg-producing states to overturn a California law that says eggs sold to its citizens can come only from hens given enough room to stand up, lay down, turn around and fully extend their wings. The 2010 law imposes the same standard on eggs imported for sale in California as a 2008 referendum put on the state's egg farmers.
With deadline nearing, California hens get more room
Egg farmers in California are altering their laying houses to give hens more room ahead of the Jan 15 deadline to comply with new rules, writes Twilight Greenaway at Civil Eats, which looks into arguments over egg production. One farmer is spending $3 million to revamp his facilities, to "enriched colony" cages from the smaller "battery" cages, but will have 100,000 fewer laying hens in the end.