Processor

USDA issued a proposed rulemaking on Monday that would effectively close the “Product of the U.S.A.” loophole that has been in effect since the repeal of COOL in 2015.

Farm Bureau hosted Secretary Vilsack at its annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he announced the details of ERP Phase 2 and PARP, U.S.-made fertilizer and new meat and poultry processing facility plans.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker on Tuesday announced proposed legislation aimed at ending line-speed increases and “meatpacker self-inspection programs.”

Under Secy. Moffitt says her objective is to ensure producers have access to USDA dollars: “We see there’s a need for qualified technical expertise to capture the projects for producers and MPPTA will address that.”

The Biden Administration unveiled a new, four-pronged action plan to aid independent meat processors, strengthen the Packers & Stockyards Act, and issue new “Product of USA” labeling rules.

AgriTalk’s Chip Flory is accompanied by Iowa Cattlemen’s CEO Matt Deppe on Tuesday as they discuss the new Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act that U.S. Senators are expected to propose in coming days.

The senator supports legislative action because of concerns that small producers are losing money on cattle due to being unable to spot market.