July pork exports up 5%, beef exports down 18%

Sep 08, 2023

July was quite an eventful month for our meat industry. Pork was the star, but beef? Well, it had its ups and downs.

Let’s talk about numbers. Data from the bigwigs, USDA and USMEF, paints an exciting picture for pork. July exports rose by 5%, touching 219,014 metric tons. And the cherry on top - The value increased by 1%, hitting $628.7 million. Major applause to our friends in Mexico, Central America, and Canada, who were the star consumers. If we look at the January-July period, we've already beaten last year's numbers by 13% in pork exports.

Beef, on the other hand, had a tough time in July. Exports dropped by a significant 18%, making it the weakest month in half a year. This slump amounted to 103,167 metric tons with a value of just over $810 million. The decline in pork exports is due to lower demand from key Asian markets. Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Places like Taiwan and Mexico have kept the flame alive for US beef.

And a quick word on lamb. After a couple of slow months, it made a comeback in July, rising by 22% from last year. Great news for lamb lovers!

July was a mixed bag for the meat industry. Pork is riding high, beef is hoping for better days, and lamb, It’s back in the game.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.