USCA Testimony Highlights Market Volatility, Opportunities For Success

The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) testified Thursday during the Senate hearing, “A Review of the U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors: Marketplace Opportunities and Challenges”. Joe Goggins (Billings, Montana), Vice President Vermilion Ranch Co., Public Auction Yards, Billings Livestock Commission Co., Western Livestock Auction and Northern Livestock Video Auction, testified on behalf of USCA.

 

 

Goggins was joined on the hearing panel by Mr. Tracy Brunner, President, National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Mr. Ronald Truex, Chairman, United Egg Producers; Dr. Howard Hill, Past President, National Pork Producers Council; and Mr. John Zimmerman, Producer, National Turkey Federation/Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. The witnesses represented a wide range of voices in the livestock industry and brought unique perspectives from each sector of the supply chain.

 

Goggins’ testimony focused on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the U.S. livestock industry while also noting several contributing factors to both the current market volatility and issues that will aid the industry in the years to come.

 

Goggins specifically referenced ways in which the industry can continue to enhance transparency, achieve market stability and encourage improvements and innovation across industry standards. 

Video: Season 6, Episode 12: Veterinarians’ Perspectives on Managing Swine Herd Health Across All Phases

Identifying challenges in swine production and turning them into solutions through research and team development is the focus of this episode. Dr. Christine Mainquist-Whigham of Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics shares insights on herd health, biosecurity and trial work to improve pig performance. She also discusses her team’s research philosophy, how they evaluate rate of investment and how they gather feedback from employees to address challenges and maintain herd health across all phases of production. Dr. Carlos Roudergue of Country View Family Farms discusses the growing complexity of swine production, especially as technology increases and employee interaction decreases. He also shares how their workforce is shifting toward more specialized roles to support herd health and efficiency.