Daines blasts Biden for nixing Keystone XL Pipeline Permit, will introduce bill to keep construction moving forward
- Last week, President Biden nixed the Keystone XL Pipeline permit. In response to this, U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana will introduce legislation to authorize the continued construction of the project.
- Daines is the Chair of the Senate Western Caucus and sits on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Daines believes that the pipeline is critical to energy producing states like Montana.
- The project will create thousands of jobs, generate tax revenue for local communities, promote North American energy security and independence and it is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport oil, stated Daines.
- The Keystone XL Pipeline is projected to provide about 11,000 direct high-paying jobs and up to 60,000 indirect and direct jobs. It is expected to generate tax revenue, increase renewable-energy demand, reduce emissions and strengthen North American energy independence.
JBS USA, Pilgrim’s Pride offer $100 to U.S. employees who get the Covid-19 vaccine
- Last Thursday, JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride announced that they would be paying $100 to U.S. employees who voluntarily receive a Covid-19 vaccine.
- The meatpackers are hoping that this bonus will encourage employees to get vaccinated for coronavirus after thousands of meatpacking workers became sick with the virus in 2020.
- To promote the vaccine, both meat giants launched education campaigns for their workers.
- Surveys show that 60-90 percent of employees at individual plants are willing to be vaccinated.
New China swine fever strains point to unlicensed vaccines
- China continues to recover from African swine fever (ASF), but a new form of the virus has been detected in the country and industry insiders are saying it is most likely caused by illicit vaccines.
- Two new strains of ASF have infected more than 1,000 sows on numerous farms owned by New Hope Liuhe, China’s fourth-largest producer.
- The company’s chief science officer, Yan Zhichun said that in addition to the sows, pigs being fattened for the firm by contract farmers have also come down with the new strains.
- Unlike the original ASF virus, the new strains do not kill pigs; instead they cause a chronic condition that reduces the number of healthy piglets born, according to Yan.
- Yan added that these new strains are missing one or two key genes present in the wild African swine fever virus that wreaked havoc in China during 2018 and 2019 when half of China’s 400 million-head pig herd was wiped out.
- In hopes of protecting their pigs, Chinese farmers have resorted to unapproved products.
- Industry insiders and experts worry that these illegal vaccines have created accidental infections, which are now spreading.
- The new ASF strains could find their way around the world through contaminated meat, which would infect pigs that are fed kitchen waste.
- In the past, the virus has been known to survive for months in some pork products.
- China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has issued at least three warnings against the use of unauthorized African swine fever vaccines, cautioning that they may have severe side effects.
- Users of these vaccines could be charged with a criminal offense.
R-CALF Director to speak at Atkinson Livestock Market
- On Tuesday January 26, Atkinson Livestock Market will host a rollover calf sale fundraiser at noon.
- R-CALF Director Brett Kenzy will be present to speak about the organization working for U.S. cattle producers, their newly launched Cattle Industry Long Range Plan and their checkoff petition campaign.
- Those who wish to support R-CALF and their efforts can bid on the calf, then donate it back so it can be auctioned off repeatedly, until bidding ceases.
- Those who are unable to attend the event in Atkinson, NE can make a contribution by contacting R-CALF at (406) 252-2516 or by email at r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com or you can contact Karina Jones at (308) 760-3466.
- Contributions over $100 will receive a 1-year membership renewal to an R-CALF USA membership.
Cattle on feed report
https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/cattle-on-feed
- Cattle on feed as of January 1, 2021 totaled 12 million head, up slightly from 2020.
- Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.84 million head, one percent above 2020.
- Marketings of fed cattle in December totaled 1.85 million head, one percent above 2020.
- Marketings were the second highest for January since the series began in 1996.
Boxed beef prices
- Choice boxed beef: $222.82 (+1.62)
- Select boxed beef: $213.34 (+3.06)