(JANUARY 19, 2024) – On Friday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a pilot program to make accessing carcass quality grades – such as Prime, Choice, and Select – available and affordable for small and mid-sized processors. Through the pilot program, processors will be able to take a picture of the ribeye loin and upload it from their phone to …
(NOVEMBER 9, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a package of rules and orders that seek to increase competition in the livestock industry. The package establishes a Chief Competition Officer at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This position – which will be hired as a career, rather than a political, appointee – will help to elevate and …
(FEBRUARY 11, 2023) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce that its Independent Processing Committee Chairman Patrick Robinette earned a spot on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). This committee advises the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s inspection program activities, including food safety …
(FEBRUARY 9, 2023) – Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) , and Jim Baird (R-IN), and Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced plans on Wednesday to reintroduce the Strengthening Local Processing Act. The bill would would create a competitive grant program for small and very small establishments, state-inspected facilities, custom exempt facilities, or new small-scale slaughter facilities. It would also …
(NOVEMBER 8, 2022) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce that Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, Sandra Eskin, will provide a special address to cattle producers at the 15th Annual Meeting and Cattle Producer’s Forum this December 8-10, 2022, in Nashville, TN. Sandra Eskin was appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety on March 24, 2021. …
(AUGUST 16, 2022) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is proud to present the Independent Beef Producer and Processor’s online directory. USCA is committed to supporting and advancing the interests of U.S. cattle producers, which also includes independent processors. This network is intended to be a resource for those who are seeking new connections within the industry, including: Producers looking for regional processors with …
By Rep. Abigail Spanberger and USCA President Brooke Miller (JUNE 19, 2022) – Over the last year, meat prices have gone up by 15 percent for Americans — meaning higher prices for the beef they’ll grill, smoke, and barbeque this summer. That’s not the fault of America’s ranchers, and it’s certainly not the fault of the truck drivers working overtime …
(JUNE 16, 2022) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, on a 221-204 vote. Seven Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to support the package of bills, including Reps. Dusty Johnson (SD-At Large), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and Vicky Hartzler (MO-04). …
(APRIL 8, 2022) – On Thursday, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States Act, or the A-PLUS Act. The bill would allow livestock auction markets to hold an ownership interest in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of a packing facility that has a slaughter capacity of less …
(March 1, 2023) – On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) issued Notice 09-22, which rescinds previous guidance requiring employees at federally inspected meat processing facilities to wear masks while working in the establishment. In November, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) sent a letter to FSIS requesting updated guidance from FSIS that allowed for COVID-19 …
(JANUARY 7, 2022) – This week, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Independent Beef Processors Committee Chairman Patrick Robinette visited with KINA Radio 910 AM Coffee Talk Hosts Jerry Hinrikus and Randy Picking to discuss the White House’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain. Hit the triangle “play” button on the audio bar below …
(JANUARY 3, 2022) – On Monday, the Biden-Harris Administration published its Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain. The four core strategies that make up the Action Plan seek to strengthen the bottom line of independent producers and processors, while also providing more choices and affordable prices for U.S. consumers. The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) participated in …