South American steer price have fallen to their lowest level since early 2013, with seasonal conditions forcing additional cattle to market and placing downwards pressure on prices.

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Global wheat and feed grain supplies are forecast to reach record levels in 2013-14, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

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In its opening World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report for this season, the US Department of Agriculture has forecast global wheat production at 701.1 million tonnes.

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The value of Australian beef and veal export for the first quarter of 2013 exceeded $1.1 billion - up 11% year-on-year, underpinned by a significant jump in volumes over the first quarter.

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According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data released late last week, cattle slaughter for the first quarter of 2013 reached 1.87 million head, up 7% year-on-year and the highest first quarter total since 2009. With the widespread dry conditions placing pressure on producers, the eastern states slaughter information collected by MLA’s NLRS for April and May indicates that the second quarter kill will also be very high, most likely exceeding 2 million head for the quarter.

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TENSIONS between Independent MP Tony Windsor and Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce flared up in a robust exchange in the parliamentary press gallery in Canberra on Wednesday.

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TRIBUTE has been paid to the Australian beef industry in Melbourne this evening for helping to save millions of lives worldwide.

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THE draft Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for sheep is outdated and unworkable and needs to go back to the drawing board, says the Australian Wool Growers Association (AWGA).

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Numbers at Dalby this week decreased 21%, with restocker interest lifting in places subsequent to recent isolated rainfall. The C2 calves returning to the paddock were 9ȼ dearer, averaging 161ȼ, while light weight C2 yearling steers to restock improved 10ȼ, to average 160ȼ/kg. Light D2 yearling heifers to restock eased 3ȼ on 104ȼ, while the C3 bullocks to processors declined 7ȼ, selling from 133ȼ to 146ȼ/kg.

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The extended dry conditions across the majority of the eastern states over the last six months have caused many buyers to reassess their purchasing options, and consequently causing shifts in saleyard purchasing patterns.

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While the Korean economy is suffering, there is a sign of an improvement in the economic situation. Hankok IIbo suggests Korean private consumption expenditure during the first quarter of 2013 rose for the first time this year on the back of the Gross Domestic Product expanding 0.9 percentage points during the first quarter of 2013, compared to the December quarter last year. Additionally, jobless rates improved in April to 3.2%, from 3.5% in March, assisting April consumer sentiment index being higher than 100 points, at 102 points – above 100 points for fourth consecutive months since the start of the year (Bank of Korea, Yonhap News).

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Indonesia has had no shortage of scandals in its decade-long fight against endemic corruption, mostly involving middle-aged politicians, suspicious bank accounts, handoffs of briefcases in hotel elevators, or boxes of cash in the trunk of a car in a dark parking garage.

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Eastern states over-the-hooks prices have been on a downward trend since January, predominately across the cow and yearling categories.

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SOUTHERN Australia's cattle market is feeling the brunt of a tough season and subdued international demand for beef.

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AMERICAN legislators have introduced new regulations making it illegal to withhold video footage of animal cruelty and thus impede investigations.

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NINE in 10 farmers say they are hurting from a lack of supermarket competition.

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CONTINUED dry conditions have resulted in many Victorian sheep surviving on hand feeding alone.

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The value of Australian lamb export for the first quarter of 2013 totalled a record high $271 million (Australian Bureau of Statistics) ­– up 9% on the first quarter of 2012 and 20% on the five-year average. The surge in returns was on the back of record first quarter export volumes, underpinned by higher production as increased lambs came to the market as seasonal conditions deteriorated.

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According to recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data, first quarter lamb slaughter reached a new record in 2013, of 5,328,000 head, up 14% on the 2012 March quarter and 13% on the five-year average.

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LIFTING marking percentages in their Merino flock has been one of the major breeding aims for Central Western Queensland woolgrowers Pat and Sue Hegarty, “Colanya”, Longreach.

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Australian manufacturing beef exports were generally higher during April, especially across the leaner categories, with 85CL beef was the largest category, lifting 18% on last year, to 8,237 tonnes swt (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry). While there was a large drop in shipments of 85CL beef to the US (down 42%, to 1,987 tonnes swt), there were significant increases to Indonesia (up more than 600%, to 1,837 tonnes swt), South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, most of South East Asia and Canada. Exports to Japan were 4% lower, on 2,231 tonnes swt.

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Not only China, but the remainder of South Asia (excluding China) chased more Australian red meat during April. Australian beef and veal exports to South Asia during April lifted 36% year-on-year, to 11,136 tonnes swt (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry). Volumes for the first four months of 2013 totalled 37,445 tonnes swt (up 5% on the corresponding period last year), which placed the region as the fifth largest regional export destination for Australian beef, following Japan, the US, China and Korea.

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MORE footage of animal cruelty allegedly filmed in Egyptian abattoirs was revealed at a press conference this morning by MP Andrew Wilkie and Animals Australia campaign director Lyn White.

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Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh says he holds no animal welfare concerns about Australian live cattle exports to Indonesia as he pushes for an increase in trade.

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SELF-confessed beef lover Dan Mulheron and his wife Steph are heading to Queensland Country Life's upcoming 'Beef and Beer' night in Brisbane on Tuesday, May 21.

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A MAJOR push is underway to reduce the Australian wool industry's heavy reliance on China's wool processing and manufacturing sector.

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DRY seasonal conditions are adding to the woes of an already depressed fine wool market.

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The supply of stock varied from centre to centre, however the major markets experienced a decline in numbers and reduced overall supply at physical markets covered by MLAs NLRS by 12%. Some patchy rain in places had a small effect on reducing numbers, and the Longreach sale has now been cancelled for two consecutive weeks. Young cattle continued to dominate the selling pens and there was a dramatic drop in the supply of grown cattle. The small selection of cows was dominated by poor condition classes, while the better heavy lines were scarce. The usual trade and feeder operators were present at most markets. Export buyer attendance continues to be erratic and while a full gallery of buyers was present at Dalby, not all were operating.

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Supply reduced further with sheep and lambs back by 37% and 29%, respectively at markets covered by MLA’s NLRS. Quality was also similar week-on-week, with mostly mixed selections available at all centres.

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DELIVERING stock from point A to B safely, efficiently and meeting animal welfare obligations is the responsibility of both the livestock transporter and the producer, according to Wedderburn Transport principal and Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (LRTA) committee member Mark Talbot.

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LIVESTOCK producers shouldn't view the price they receive for their animals is out of their control and influence once they leave the property, according to Irwin farmer Sally O'Brien.

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A team of animal health technicians are visiting local animal health offices in the Brazil/Bolivia borders to assess foot and mouth risk, bio-security hazards and protocols.

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In its latest quarterly report, Marfrig reports an increase in net revenue of 28 per cent for the period compared to the same quarter of 2012. The company announced the closure of four poultry plants at Seara Brasil and two Marfrig Beef plants in Argentina as well as a restructuring of the feedlot structure in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

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Brazilian beef exports during April reached their highest volume since 2007, totalling 95,200 tonnes swt – an increase of 37% year-on-year. Underpinning the increase in shipments was a recover in exports to Iran and Egypt, assisted by a decline in export prices. Russia and Hong Kong remained as major destinations.

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SAO PAULO, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BRF S.A. ("BRF" - BM&FBovespa: BRFS3; NYSE: BRFS) announces that today it priced international offerings of (i) 10 (ten) year bonds in the aggregate amount of U.S.$500 million (the "USD Bonds") and (ii) 5 (five) year bonds in the aggregate amount of R$500 million (the "BRL Bonds" and, together with the USD Bonds, the "Bonds") (collectively, the "Offerings").

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After recent growth in cattle prices, an increase in supplies due to seasonal factors has contributed to South American steer prices falling during the past week, averaging 330US¢/kg cwt according to the World Beef Report.

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The world’s largest meat protein producer, JBS, this morning filed a first quarter financial result showing a 26.3 percent rise in pre-tax earnings in its global operations spanning beef, chicken, pork, lamb and goatmeat.

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Cattle producers in Quebec and eastern Canada will see a drop in their carcase disposal and handling costs thanks to the opening of a biomass boiler plant at the Sanimax rendering facility in Lévis.

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Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2-$3 per hundredweight (cwt) higher last week as feedlot margins remain in positive territory.

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The Alberta government is taking a $40,000 trip to the central asian country of Kazakhstan to strengthen economic ties.

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New Zealand’s meat exports are being blocked at the border into China with authorities apparently rejecting them because of a name change on an export certificate.

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Ministers were briefed on the state of play of trilogues between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

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Nine countries with predominately smaller farms have signed a common declaration urging the presidency to exempt farmers receiving less than 5,000 euros from cuts under the financial discipline. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria are protesting that attempts by the UK, Denmark and the Czech Republic to lower the threshold were unacceptable. There are plans for a 5% cut to direct payments this year to establish an agricultural crisis reserve and the secure sufficient funds for aid to new Member States.

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The downward trend has come to a halt, having hit rock bottom. The German, Belgian, Dutch, Danish and Austrian quotations are moving sideward, all of them showing balanced market situations.

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French pig farmers are experiencing a major loss in earnings, they say that it is due to foreign meat making its way into the country. As a result, some farmers have set up road blocks in the West of France in order to inspect meat trucks.

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German Federal Consumer Protection Minister Ilse Aigner has called for improved and more targeted food safety controls in Germany.

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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, has welcomed what he described as a positive and useful discussion with his Member State colleagues on three elements of the CAP reform package on which there are clearly divergent views between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission, namely, active farmers, the young farmers scheme and the small farmers scheme.

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Japan consumed 113,674 tonnes (boneless equivalent) of imported beef during the first three months of this year, down 11% from the corresponding period in 2012 and the lowest since 2008 (demand and supply data by Agriculture and Livestock Industries of Japan).

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Quarantine measures have been imposed in the east of the country following the confirmation of a foot and mouth disease outbreak in the village of Akshoka.

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Mexico has slaughtered 55,000 birds in Puebla due to a reported H7N3 avian flu outbreak in the state, said the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture in a press release.

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Beef and sheep meat processors in Northern Ireland aim to grow turnover by 65% to £1.6bn by 2020, according to a recently published Agri-Food Strategy for the region.

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Securing the first ever Aberdeen-Angus championship at the new Balmoral Show location at the Maze, Balmoral Park, was local breeder James Porter, Ballinderry, Lisburn, with the first prize heifer from the two year old heifer class, junior champion and overall female champion Old Glenort Lavender L251.

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The first Asda/ABP BeefLink steak competition of the 2013 show season was won by a steak from a British Blue sired young bull bred by Larne, Co Antrim-based farmer Robin Arnold.

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Beef calf registrations have dropped by almost 10,000 so far this year on 2012 levels, decreasing 8.3 per cent with Charolais and Limousine calf numbers down, according to the market experts at the Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland.

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Finished first quality steers sold to an average price of 220p/kg liveweight this week with second quality finished steers selling to an average of 200p/kg. Finished first quality heifers sold to an average of 220p/kg with a top reported price of 231p/kg.

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In an outstanding achievement, Milbrook Gingerspice, brought out by Mr William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath, Southern Ireland was crowned Overall Individual Interbeed Supreme Champion for the second year running at the Royal Ulster Show, Belfast.

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Base quotes from the plants this week for U-3 grade prime cattle were 370-374p/kg with similar quotes expected for early next week, write experts at LMCni.

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The number of cows slaughtered in meat plants during the first third of 2013 has totalled 28,157 head. In the same period in 2012 24,932 cows were slaughtered, an increase of 13 per cent year on year.The tight fodder supplies experienced this spring combined with the reports of higher than usual empty rates and relatively good cull cow prices are all likely to have had a role to play in the increased cow throughput and a reduced number of calf registrations.

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RURAL services company PGG Wrightson expects annual earnings to fall by as much as 27 per cent.

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In April, total NZ lamb exports were up 5% year-on-year, registering the second highest monthly export volume since April 2010, at 36,567 tonnes swt. This accentuates what had already been a rapid start to the year, with export for the first four months of 2013 totalling 133,882 tonnes swt, up 21% or 23,537 tonnes on the corresponding period last year (Beef + Lamb New Zealand).

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Export market prices for lamb are improving but an early return to a $100 lamb is a question of all the planets aligning, Alliance Group general manager of marketing Murray Brown says.

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A sheep and beef farmer near Taranaki's northern gateway wants to see more farmers committing their stock to specific meat processing plants.

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Government and livestock auction reports show the disparity in fortunes between record beef export trade and liveweight markets going into summer with a slump of 34 per cent.

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Growing beef demand trends has led to a ten fold increase in beef-specific cattle since 2009, following recent investments into cattle breeding and infrastructure in Mordovia.

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Online Auction Modern Abattoir, Meat Processing and Packaging Facility

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Sheep producers have been slow to commit to using performance recording as a method of improving their financial returns but one of the enthusiasts for using breeding figures yesterday claimed that there could be a bonus of around £1,000 per ram from doing so.

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A sausage produced by an Inverness butcher has made history by scooping the title of Scotland’s top beef sausage in a new competition the winner of which was unveiled today (Sunday 12th May).

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THERE was unanimous support for only one issue yesterday at the EU Agricultural Council yesterday and that was a need to have all the main bones of the next common agricultural policy (CAP) settled by the end of June when the Irish will lose the council presidency.

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South African poultry producer, Astral Foods has reported an 82% drop in earnings over the last six months according to its latest trading update. The company states that it is battling imports which have flooded the market and feed prices which have jumped by more than one-fifth.

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Poultry producer Astral Foods on Monday reported an 82 per cent plunge in diluted headline earnings per share to 94c in the six months ended March as operating profit slumped 80 per cent despite a 5 per cent rise in revenue to R4.234bn. No interim divided was declared.

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Loosebeare Golddust from Messrs EW Quick & Sons, made 5,700gns and topped the British Limousin Cattle Society’s May Bull Sale held at Brecon Livestock Market on Saturday 11th May 2013.

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A "gentle and gradual" renewal of the nation's pig industry is needed, leading to more efficient food production and a reduction in the nation's food-import bill, according to the National Pig Association.

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When it comes to fresh meat and fish our customers look for the best quality as well as good value. Jim Viggars, who leads our meat buying team, explains some of the changes we're making to drive a step-change in the quality of our steak

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Farming organisations from seven EU Member States have joined to fight against CAP proposals that could result in significant reductions to farmers' direct payments.

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The Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 55 prime cattle, 18 young bulls, 36 over thirty month cattle, 116 spring lambs, 6,175 prime hoggs and 3,179 cast ewes & rams at their weekly sale at Longtown on Thursday 16th May 2013.

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British lamb carcass quality decreased slightly in 2012, with 57.5% of lambs meeting the target R3L or Better classification required by the main markets, according to the latest figures released by Eblex. The decline represents a modest drop of 0.9% from the target in 2011. Closer analysis of the data shows that new season lamb maintained its performance, matching the 2011 figure of 60.1% of lambs having an overall classification of R3L or better.

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Farm assured beef cattle fetched on average over 9p per kilo more at market than non-assured stock last year, according to latest figures.

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The first Asda/ABP BeefLink steak competition of the 2013 show season was won today by a steak from a British Blue sired young bull bred by Larne, Co Antrim-based farmer Robin Arnold.

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After the wash-outs and mud-baths of the 2012 season, no-one will be watching the long range weather forecasts this summer more anxiously than the organisers of agricultural shows.

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A new British Charolais centre record of 31,000gns was set at Carlisle at the society’s annual spring show and sale on Saturday 11 May, where a strong commercial demand took the average for 93 bulls sold to £5,116.21.

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Longtown Primestock Sale The Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 55 prime cattle, 18 young bulls, 36 over thirty month cattle, 116 spring lambs, 6,175 prime hoggs and 3,179 cast ewes & rams at their weekly sale at Longtown on Thursday 16th May 2013.

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Livestock entries are again nudging record levels at the Royal Bath & West Show, with more than 2000 sheep, cattle and pigs already entered.

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The RSPCA is calling on the people of Dover to support them in a bid for RSPCA inspectors to be allowed into the port to monitor live exports.

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Ukrainian pork in European, Chinese and Russian markets could replace the Brazilian products, which have recently been banned in these countries, Ukraine analytical company KSG-Agro CEO Serhiy Mazin told a local newspaper Kommersant-Ukraine in the recent interview.

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Beef trade talks are close to finalising over Uruguayan beef.

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Beef and lamb producers could have been presented with another export opportunity as the rapidly expanding Viet Nam economy opens up to their boneless meat products.

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The results of a comprehensive assessment of food safety in retail deli, particularly regarding the threat of listeria contamination, are now available to the public, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration announced.

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Early May provides the first look at the forage conditions facing the beef cattle industry in 2013.

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has vetoed state legislation that would have mandated that anyone photographing animal abuse at a food animal facility report that abuse within 48 hours and submit any unedited photographs or video recordings to law enforcement authorities.

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After probing antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat and poultry, Consumer Reports is now addressing concerns around mechanically tenderized beef.

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Kraft Foods’ Oscar Mayer brand announced five new hot dog innovations, including the Bacon Dog, which it said is the first of its kind.

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Beef jerky maker Distinctive Brands has filed for bankruptcy in Colorado, listing assets of between $500,000 and $1 million, and liabilities in the same range.

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Sitting on $400 million in cash and its spinoff from Sara Lee behind it, Hillshire Brands is looking to grow its business by acquiring complementary brands and extending its own iconic brands into adjacencies like it did with its Jimmy Dean brand, according to company executives.

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Profit margins for cattle feeders and beef packers moved in opposite directions last week, thanks to lower cash fed cattle prices and a rising wholesale beef market.

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Farmers took advantage of the break in wet spring weather in a rush to plant crops before the next round of rain.

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Omtron USA, which was being sued by chicken farmers prior to the company’s bankruptcy filing, has now turned the tables and filed a suit against the farmers.

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A significant percentage of operators of small feedlots are not familiar with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, according to the new feedlot report from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). The numbers suggest opportunities for further education, particularly as cattle feeders who are familiar with the BQA program appear to place more importance on BQA practices than those unfamiliar with the program.

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McDonald’s is rolling out three new varieties of its iconic Quarter Pounder — including a bacon and cheese variety that will use a thicker applewood-smoked bacon, a spokeswoman confirmed to Meatingplace.

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One of the environmental challenges that the poultry industry has faced is manure utilisation and/or disposal. A joint US/Canadian study looked at the potential of reducing poultry nitrogen emissions with specific uricase egg yolk feed grade antibodies

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Monogram Food Solutions announced the launch of a new line of turkey meat snacks featuring turkey jerky, turkey bacon jerky, turkey nuggets and turkey snack sticks licensed under the Butterball brand.

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Gold'n Plump has launched a new campaign called "The Mom Squad” seeking to educate consumers about what defines good chicken versus bad chicken.

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Tyson Foods Inc. unveiled plans to introduce new products in 2013 as a significant part of its growth strategy.

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The New Jersey senate has voted overwhelmingly to ban gestation stalls for breeding pigs.

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The presence of E. coli in the water supply in Laurel, Miss. prompted the entire town to go on a boil-water alert late last week, and two poultry processing plants in the area to close for at least a day.

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Seaboard Corp. reported earnings late last week, showing that its pork and turkey businesses suffered operating income decreases mainly as a result of increased feed costs.

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More efficient land use, a stalled demand for corn ethanol and increased demand for meat in developing countries should help boost the livestock industry in coming years, according to a Purdue University agricultural economist.

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The New Jersey Senate on Monday approved a bill already passed by the state Assembly that would ban the use of gestation stalls to house sows.

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TL & CP Wynne, Hendre Glan Alwen, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Corwen, Denbighshire, with their bull Alwen Gersom, secured a fine top price of 6,600gns at the North West Midlands & North Wales Limousin Club’s May Sale held at Welshpool Market on Thursday 16th May 2013.

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