H5N1 Avian Flu Hits Dairy Herds

The recent spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain (H5N1) to dairy cows in the United States has raised concerns about the potential impact on the dairy and beef industries. While the U.S. …

Say Cheese: Report Reveals Biggest Cheese-Loving Nations

According to the USDA, global cheese consumption is projected to reach a record high of 21.6 million metric tons this year. Cheese consumption is up 5.7% compared to five years ago.

Pork Oversupply Possible Threat to U.S. Economy

Eggs and bacon or sausage: The traditional American breakfast – or at least it used to be. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the pork industry currently is so efficient, it’s producing more meat …

Study: Eating Red Meat Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Eating red meat just twice a week may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new Harvard University study. Meanwhile, data shows that a relatively small percentage of people eat a …

Expect Surging Beef Prices to Continue

It is an expensive time to be a carnivore with beef prices surging. Retail beef prices are sizzling despite an overall (and very much welcomed) downturn in the overall prices of food as the holidays …

Beef Prices Hitting New Highs at Retail and Restaurants

Domestic beef prices continue to reach new highs. Retail beef prices hit another record high in August, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a price of $8.31 per lb., according to Wells Fargo analysis …

Drought Sending Pasta Prices Soaring

Pasta, that quick, go-to meal for hungry and cash-strapped college students and busy parents, is no longer the inexpensive choice it once was, with prices for noodles up 8% in the U.S. and 12% in …

What Do Americans Think ‘Natural’ Foods Are?

When a food says “natural” on it, 51% of U.S. adults assume the product is made entirely of whole ingredients and 49% believe there are no preservatives.

FI First Look: Revolutionary New Tech in Egg Production; Midwest Farms Endure Heatwave

In-ovo sexing, a technology that promises to make egg production more efficient, has been rolled out in Europe and Innovate Animal Ag is pushing for its adoption in the U.S. Innovate Animal Ag, a nonprofit …

The Summer of Butter

Every dairy category has seen positive growth, from milk, natural cheese, and eggs to yogurt, cream cheese, dairy processed cheese, and whipped toppings, all helping power the #SummerOfButter.

How Soon Will Cultured Meat Impact Plant-Based Sales?

As the gate to cell cultured meat sales swings open in the U.S., what’s in store for the alt-meat sector? The Food Institute checked in with Jennifer Bartashus at Bloomberg Intelligence to discuss potential market implications in the months ahead.

Meat Producers Look For A Bottom — And For Answers

The cycle has turned against meat producers with a perhaps unprecedented vengeance. In response, investors and industry participants face two key questions. First, when does the cycle turn? More importantly, what can meat producers do …

Resurgence of Avian Influenza Predicted in Spring

The USDA predicted a resurgence of avian influenza in spring as wild birds begin their semiannual migration.

Ag Roundup: Brazil’s Record Grain Crop, Inflation Impacts Organic

Brazilian officials said the country’s grain crop is expected to hit a record 312.2 million tons, up 15% from last year, Reuters reported. The estimate, however, was lower than previous projections. The government food and …

Bird Flu Cull Surpasses 2015

More than 52 million birds in 46 states have been culled so far this year due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, topping the record set in 2015, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service …

FDA Issues First Approval for Cell-Cultured Chicken

Cultivated meat producer Upside Foods received regulatory approval from the FDA, making it the first company to reach this milestone in the U.S. While not a green light for the industry at large, the decision opens the door to more approvals

Second Wave of Bird Flu Hitting US, Canada

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was reported in five turkey flocks in the U.S. in September, among eight outbreaks reported in the U.S. and Canada.

As Food Recalls Mount, Experts Urge Food Safety ‘Culture’ Change

Recent food recalls illustrate a “disturbing” lack of food safety culture, according to Dr. Vanessa Coffman. One in six Americans fall ill from foodborne illness annually these days. Making matters worse, the public is often …

UPDATE: The Latest Regenerative Ag Trend: Criollo Cattle

Criollo cattle have adapted to dry rangelands and could help regenerate soil while needing less water and feed than other cattle.

Middle-Tier Restaurants Threatened as Industry Bifurcates

Middle-tier restaurants would be wise to alter their business models amid raging inflation and predictions of a recession later this year.

Egg and Meat Prices Likely to Ease by End of Summer

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which spread widely across the northern U.S. and pushed poultry and egg prices skyward, may be winding down, a USDA official said. Some 40 million birds have been culled, about 6% …

Analyst: Expect Higher Egg Prices Through 2022

(Editor’s Note 6/15/2022: For updated coverage on the shell egg market, please read “Analysts: Expect Continued Demand for Eggs Despite High Prices“) Egg buyers may have found some relief in March as prices moderated, but …

Agriculture: Deere Sparks Controversy; Bird Flu Spreads to North

Farmers and advocates have filed a 40-page complaint with the Federal Trade Commission demanding that the agency end Deere & Co.’s efforts to prevent farmers and independent dealers from repairing Deere’s equipment. The National Farmers …

School Lunch Rules Updated Amid Supply Chain Disruptions

The Biden administration has issued transitional standards for school lunches to get cafeterias back on a healthier course as they recover from the pandemic. Here’s what to expect: WHAT IS CHANGING? During the pandemic, schools …

Experts Weigh In on 2022 Inflation Outlook

With food more expensive than it has been in decades and inflation surging, business owners and consumers alike are worried about what the future holds. How high can prices go? When will inflation starts to ...

What Are the Prospects for California’s New Animal Welfare Rules?

New rules on animal welfare are slated to take effect Jan. 1 in California, but a coalition of restaurants and grocery stores have filed suit to block implementation for more than two years, arguing they …

Ag Update: U.S. Farmer Sentiment Weakens on Cost Concerns

U.S. farmers are pessimistic about the current agriculture economy and the future, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer lost five points in November, falling to 116, a 30% decline …

Experts Debate Effectiveness of Artificial Sweeteners

Anyone who’s ever been on a diet remembers longing for a sweet dessert, wishing for the calorie content to disappear. That’s what makes artificial sweeteners so attractive – all the sweetness and none of the …

Spike in Fertilizer Prices Causing Concern in Europe

A spike in fertilizer prices has hit European farmers, leaving some to question whether to curb planting plans. Winter wheat and barley crops are being sown as many nitrogen fertilizer plants in Europe shut as …

USDA Funding to Support Schools Amid Food and Labor Shortages

Food manufacturers and distributors have cancelled school district contracts as they struggle meeting demand from other, more lucrative, consumer and commercial markets. Coupled with the labor shortage, this has left schools across the nation scrambling …

Is the U.S. Cattle Oversupply Finally Cleared?

After a tumultuous year of COVID-related meat processor backlogs, is the U.S. beef supply finally evening out? One banking and financial services company thinks so: the U.S. oversupply of beef appears to have “finally cleared,” …

POULTRY UPDATE: Thanksgiving Turkeys Could Be in Short Supply

The latest industry to be impacted by supply constraints is poultry. LABOR AND SUPPLY ISSUES THREATEN HOLIDAY TURKEY AVAILABILITY A broker for Shady Brook Farms, one of the nation’s largest turkey suppliers, said in a …

How High Can Prices Go: Top Consumer Foods

As pandemic restrictions eased, pent-up consumer demand kept inflation elevated. In July, the overall consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.5%, a somewhat moderate gain relative to recent increases. Yet, over the past 12 months, price …

Update: Drought Worsening in U.S. West, Plains

Drought and an early fire season are threatening agriculture in the U.S. West and Plains, reducing hay yields, pushing feed costs higher, the Associated Press reported (July 26), and drying up water sources. Drought conditions …

USDA Taking Steps to Boost Meat and Poultry Market Competitiveness

To address concerns about competition in the U.S. ranching and farming system, USDA will allocate $500 million to expand meat and poultry processing capacity across the nation. The agency said the move was “one of …

Food Industry Financials: Don’t be surprised to spend an extra $6K on food this year

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: grocery inflation, menu price hikes, cost saving ideas, and more. Don’t be surprised …