Dairy Industry Research Shows Consumers Thoughts on Plant-Based Milk Imitators

New consumer research supported by the dairy industry shows Americans widely disapprove of dairy terms being used by fake-milk producers, as well as confusion on the nutritional content of milk versus plant-based imitators. The national survey conducted by a global market research and consulting firm, found only 20 percent of all consumers said plant-based beverages should be labeled milk, as U.S. dietary guidelines do not recommend imitators as a substitute for dairy milk. Even when limited to buyers of plant-based drinks, support for mislabeling rose to only 41 percent. Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, says the data further proves that “FDA must enforce its existing regulations.” The study also found that more than one-third of consumers erroneously believe plant-based beverages have the same or more protein than dairy milk. However, NMPF points out that milk has up to eight times more protein than its imitators. The online poll commissioned by Dairy Management Inc. was conducted October of last year and surveyed 2,006 adults nationwide.

Americans to Eat More than 1.3 Billion Chicken Wings for Super Bowl

The National Chicken Council Wednesday released its annual Chicken Wing Report estimating Americans will eat an all-time high of 1.38 billion wings during the Super Bowl weekend, featuring the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. The figure is up two percent, or about 27 million wings, from 2018. The report points out that the record number of wings is enough to circle the Earth three times, and is four wings for every man, woman and child in the United States. Also, the Council announced it is petitioning President Trump and Congress to declare the Monday after the Super Bowl a federal holiday. The petition is available on Change.org. National Chicken Council spokesperson Tom Super concluded, “Whether you’re a fan of the left wing or the right wing, there’s no debate – or controversial missed calls – about America’s favorite Super Bowl food.”

Reports that meat and livestock industry use to gauge the direction of prices, supply and demand have gone dark due to shutdown

As the government shutdown continues, reports that the meat and livestock industry use to gauge the direction of prices, supply and demand have gone dark. One such report is USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report. The last such report was issued on Dec. 20. It is doubtful the government will reopen in time for the next one, scheduled for this Friday, Jan. 25. And even if it did, government analysts would not have time to crunch the numbers. Each month the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) publishes its pre-report estimates. In the absence of the government report, its data might serve as a guide to industry professionals. The Jan. 25 Cattle on Feed report would have reflected December feedlot marketings and placements (lots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more). The LMIC’s estimates that marketings were slower in December relative to a year ago, based on estimated daily slaughter. USDA has not released actual weekly slaughter numbers since Dec. 8, 2018. “While the estimated slaughter data is better than no data, there is a large difference in precision,” warned the LMIC. Still, the group estimates marketings of cattle for slaughter in December were about 99.5 percent of year-ago marketings. LMIC estimates there were slightly more cattle placed on feed in December than a year ago, noting feeder cattle imports from Mexico and Canada were about 25,000 head higher year over year. Auction receipts showed strong volumes relative to a year ago, both pointing to more placements. It noted, however, that placements could have been somewhat tempered by extremely muddy conditions in feedlots, especially in Nebraska and Kansas. LMIC estimates that placements during December were 100.6 percent of a year ago. This would have been the highest December placement number since 2010, and would put the number of cattle on feed as of Jan. 1 at 102.1 percent of a year ago.

USDA to Reopen Farm Service Agency Offices Nationwide

The Department of Agriculture will soon reopen Farm Service Agency offices nationwide. USDA has temporarily recalled all of the more than 9,700 FSA employees to keep offices open from 8 am to 4:30 pm weekdays beginning January 24th. However, operations will slim to just three days a week next starting February 8th. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Tuesday afternoon announced the plan as an effort to provide additional administrative services to farmers and ranchers during the lapse in federal funding. Select FSA offices were previously opened for a three-day period offering limited services to farmers. The list of services offered during the period includes the Market Facilitation Program, Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage, and the Dairy Margin Protection Program, among others. Additionally, Secretary Perdue announced that the deadline to apply for the Market Facilitation Program, which aids farmers harmed by unjustified retaliatory tariffs, has been extended to February 14th. The original deadline had been January 15th.

EU Doesn’t Include Ag in Trade Goals for U.S. Agreements

In a list of goals last week, the European Union left out agriculture for its upcoming negotiations with the United States. An expected move, the action starts the talks off on a sour note as agriculture was one of the objectives for the United States. The Trump Administration goals included a desire to “secure comprehensive market access for U.S. agricultural goods by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers for farm goods,” according to Politico. A deal without agriculture has little U.S. support from lawmakers. Also last week, U.S. Representative Roger Marshal of Kansas said in an editorial that if agriculture isn’t in the deal, he and other in Congress “will not consider it or support it.” In the editorial, Marshall urged the Trump Administration to continue to fight for farmers in the trade negotiations. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. domestic exports of agricultural products to the EU totaled $11.5 billion in 2016.

FDA Considers Calling Back More Inspectors

The Food and Drug Administration is considering calling back more furloughed workers to help with inspections of high-risk foods. The FDA last week said it would restart inspections of high-risk foods that had been stopped due to the federal government shutdown. Over the weekend, Gottlieb took to Twitter to say, “more staff could be on the way depending on needs." He says the FDA has called back about 100 investigators and 35 supervisors for high-risk food inspections. Among the foods the FDA considers high risk are seafood, select dairy products, unpasteurized juices, fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, shell eggs, sandwiches, prepared salads and infant formula. Meanwhile, The National Pork Producers Federation reminded the nation over the weekend that federal meat inspectors are working in meat packing plants despite the government shutdown. NPPC and other livestock groups a year ago urged USDA to deem inspectors as essential employees, because without inspectors, “meat and poultry processing plants are prohibited by law from operating.”

AFIA Refutes LANCET Study

In response to a new report launched by the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health, The American Feed Industry Association calls the report “yet another organized attack on animal agriculture.” A statement released by AFIA says the report is not reflective of the current and accurate science on the industry’s substantial sustainability advances. AFIA’s President and CEO Joel G. Newman says the report’s calls to “return to primarily an ‘agrarian lifestyle’ will undo years of research and innovation, while likely keeping nutritious and high-quality protein and dairy products out of the hands of the people who need them the most.” The 50-page report advises consumers to drastically reduce their meat and dairy consumption for their health and for the good of the planet. It plans to promote the report vigorously over the next month.