USA: USDA expands electronic identification (EID) tag program for livestock in FY 2025

California has declared a state of emergency due to the spread of the H5N1 virus in dairy herds, leading to the infection of dozens of farm workers and affecting hundreds of herds. The emergency declaration aims to expedite the state's response by easing rules on staffing and contracting. Meanwhile, the U.S. is implementing restrictions on animal commodities from El Salvador to protect against New World screwworm, and steps are being taken to address Listeria contamination in food products. In agricultural markets, there are significant changes in beef, pork, and dairy product prices and sales, including an increase in pork product prices outpacing hog product prices, and adjustments in milk price forecasts for 2024 and 2025. Additionally, there are concerns about the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, impacting production and trade, and affecting hunters and the public.

California declared a state of emergency over the H5N1 virus as it spread more widely in dairy herds and after it has infected dozens of farm workers. The declaration aims to streamline and expedite the state’s response by allowing more flexibility for staffing, contracting and other rules, Gov. Gavin Newsome said. Four southern California dairies tested positive on Dec. 12, “necessitating a shift from regional containment to statewide monitoring and response,” Newsom said in his emergency declaration. Earlier cases had been centered in the Central Valley in the middle of the state. In California, the top U.S. milk-producing state, 649 herds have tested positive since late August, roughly 60% of its herds. Beef: Net sales of 7,200 MT for 2024 were down 35 percent from the previous week and 5 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases primarily for South Korea (2,200 MT, including decreases of 900 MT), Japan (1,200 MT, including decreases of 1,000 MT), Taiwan (800 MT, ...