North Carolina poultry processing plant lawsuit dismissed

A lawsuit to prevent Sanderson Farms from building a poultry processing plant in Nash County, N.C., has been dismissed.
The lawsuit was filed against Nash County commissioners for the rezoning of land in the southern part of the county for the proposed plant. Nash County supports the plant because it would bring 1,100 jobs to the area; detractors have expressed concerns about potential runoff into the area's drinking supply.

Pork, poultry producers back US 2012 spending bill

The U.S. 2012 agriculture spending bill includes language that will prevent the implementation of new regulations regarding livestock and poultry marketing, drawing support from the National Pork Producers Council and the National Turkey Federation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration originally proposed a rule that the organization said addressed "the increased use of contracting in the marketing and production of livestock and poultry by entities subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act." The goal of the regulation, according to GIPSA, was "to level the playing field between packers, live poultry dealers and swine contractors, and the nation’s poultry growers and livestock producers."
Industry members, however, said the rule would amount to an unprecedented government invasion into the private marketplace. "The marketplace works well without government intrusion and this legislation is proof that many in Congress feel the same way," said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bill Donald. The 2012 spending bill includes language limiting funding for further action on the proposed rule until Congress takes additional legislative action to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act in the next Farm Bill.
Overall, the government appropriated $17.25 billion in discretionary spending for the agriculture industry — a 13.4% reduction from 2011. Among the numbers:

• GIPSA received $37 million, a $3.26 million decrease from 2011.
• Production, processing and marketing under the office of the secretary received $4.29 million, a $758,000 decrease from 2011.
• The Agricultural Research Service received $993 million, a $140 million decrease from 2011.
• The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service received $790 million, a $73.3 million decrease from 2011.
• The Agricultural Marketing Service received $77.5 million, a $9.04 decrease from 2011.

Ukraine pork exports rise in 2011

Pork exports in Ukraine were up for the first quarter of 2011.

Ukrainian pork exports have shown a sharp rise in 2011, with the first quarter reaching 4.3 thousand metric tons exported, mostly to Russia.
Exports increased largely because the domestic market couldn't absorb an increase in production in 2010, according to A. Yaroslavsky, deputy director general of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation. "Purchase prices for hogs fell and companies engaged in growing pigs in 2010 were losses," said Yaroslavsky. "The level of profitability of their activities amounted to -7.4%. In this situation, the only salvation for the industry was increasing exports."
In January through March 2011, pork imports decreased by 50% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, there was a 12% increase in the import of by-products, indicating an increase in demand from refineries for low-grade, relatively cheap raw materials.
Ukrainian pork exports have shown a sharp rise in 2011, with the first quarter reaching 4.3 thousand metric tons exported, mostly to Russia.
Exports increased largely because the domestic market couldn't absorb an increase in production in 2010, according to A. Yaroslavsky, deputy director general of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation. "Purchase prices for hogs fell and companies engaged in growing pigs in 2010 were losses," said Yaroslavsky. "The level of profitability of their activities amounted to -7.4%. In this situation, the only salvation for the industry was increasing exports."
In January through March 2011, pork imports decreased by 50% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, there was a 12% increase in the import of by-products, indicating an increase in demand from refineries for low-grade, relatively cheap raw materials.
Ukrainian pork exports have shown a sharp rise in 2011, with the first quarter reaching 4.3 thousand metric tons exported, mostly to Russia.
Exports increased largely because the domestic market couldn't absorb an increase in production in 2010, according to A. Yaroslavsky, deputy director general of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation. "Purchase prices for hogs fell and companies engaged in growing pigs in 2010 were losses," said Yaroslavsky. "The level of profitability of their activities amounted to -7.4%. In this situation, the only salvation for the industry was increasing exports."
In January through March 2011, pork imports decreased by 50% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, there was a 12% increase in the import of by-products, indicating an increase in demand from refineries for low-grade, relatively cheap raw materials.

US corn, soybean, wheat planting behind 2010 due to weather

U.S. planting has remained behind 2010 numbers due to wet weather.

U.S. corn, soybean and wheat planting has remained behind 2010 numbers due to wet weather in the eastern Midwest and northern regions preventing fieldwork, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Roughly 86% of the corn crop was planted as of May 29, compared to 79% a week earlier and 97% during the same time in 2010. Soybean planting was 51% complete, compared with 41% a week earlier and 71% in 2010. About 68% of the wheat crop was seeded, compared with 54% a week earlier and 95% in 2010.

US shell eggs broken down for April, up for 2011

Shell eggs broken were up 4% for the 2011 calendar year through April.

U.S. shell eggs broken totaled 164 million dozen during April 2011, down 4% from April 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This number also represents a 9% drop from the 180 million broken in March.
For the calendar year through April, however, shell eggs broken totaled 669 million dozen, up 4% from the same period in 2010. To the end of April, cumulative total edible product from eggs broken in 2011 was 874 million pounds, up 4% from 2010's 841 million pounds.

US Supreme Court will not hear EPA, corn association pesticide case

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that it will not hear the case, National Corn Growers Association vs. EPA, thus upholding the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to ban the use of the pesticide carbofuran.
The EPA banned the pesticide, which is used on corn, potatoes and sunflowers, in 2009. Industry groups had appealed the decision, saying that an evidentiary hearing should have been held before a decision was made.

SPACE to focus on international challenges facing livestock industry

SPACE's visitor numbers are set once more to top 100,000, and the show’s international profile is growing.

The annual livestock trade show, SPACE 2011, September 13-16, at the Rennes Exhibition Centre, France, is focusing on the international challenges facing the poultry, pig and feed industries while celebrating its 25th anniversary and largest show to date.
In the past year, the livestock industry has improved from 2009 and 2010 levels despite high feed prices. The dairy and pig industries have experienced a slight increase in price, which made up for increased animal feed costs because of high cereal prices. Escalating feed costs also are directly impacting other areas of meat production, particularly poultry, where the current market is largely export driven. A further area of concern is the developing drought that is placing many farms at risk.
International presence growing
As of May, SPACE has 1,100 exhibitors — an increase of about 50 and more than 6,000 m² of stand area requested compared to 2010. SPACE is attracting more international companies — about 300 — and has 159 first-time exhibitors. The show will have 10 halls of exhibitions and is conveniently located next to the Saint-Jacques Airport in Rennes.
The 25th SPACE will offer plenty of opportunities for meetings and contacts among exhibitors representing the full range of equipment, products and services for all livestock species and trade visitors interested in developing and maintaining their business, particularly livestock farmers (60% of visitors in 2010) looking to optimise and modernise their operations.
Visitor numbers are set once more to top 100,000, and the show’s international profile is growing. In 2010, 9,336 international visitors from 107 different countries came to SPACE. As a result of the considerable resources SPACE invests abroad with the support of the Brittany Regional Council, a large number of delegations from every continent have already registered. International visitors will be able to choose from an extensive menu of services offered by the show’s different partners: ADEPTA, Bretagne International, UBI-France, CCI International and Enterprise Europe Network.
Educational, networking opportunities
A range of symposia and conferences once again make SPACE the focus for sharing at every level. New to the show, this year is the International Raw Materials Forum, held on September 16, sponsored by the Association of Animal Feed Compounders.
This year, SPACE is offering a Job Dating event organised by the Association for Employment in Agriculture.The principle of Job Dating is built on a "flash" meeting (about 15 minutes) between a potential employer and a person seeking employment. This is an initial contact for open positions or projects in the medium term. Work placements at the end of study courses also will be considered.
International visitors and exhibitors will have access to the International Club, a VIP reception area and meeting place that offers free Internet, interpreting services, refreshments and access to sign up for several planned farm tours.
Research, development platform
Feeding an ever-growing population means maintaining levels of agricultural production while reducing the use of chemical and non-renewable resources while protecting the environment —just some of the future challenges the world of agriculture must resolve.
Occupying a central position at SPACE, the 2011 Platform offers opportunities for information and discussion on Ecologically Intensive Agriculture practices. Farmers who are already integrating this new approach and advisers from the Chambers of Agriculture will be on hand to explain how farmers can adopt Ecologically Intensive Agriculture to their arable and livestock enterprises. No matter the sector — dairy, pigs or poultry — or the type of system — conventional or organic — Ecologically Intensive Agriculture is a progressive and innovative approach applicable not only at parcel or whole-farm level, but also at a regional level.