Re-Opening, but Slower Operating Meat Plants As we reported on Tuesday, the President issued an executive order under the Defense Production Act to keep meat and poultry plants open as critical infrastructure. Here is what that means:
The Secretary of Agriculture is now in charge of keeping packing plants open under the order; this means that USDA will coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Labor, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in order to ensure that worker safety issues are part of the plants’ oversight, in addition to food and animal health and safety regulated by FSIS and APHIS.
CDC and OSHA have issued worker health and safety guidelines, which include modifie...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
