Beef Industry Celebrates Banner Year
d, prices and consumption were all up last year, helping to propel the industry to new heights amid record supply, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, which released the figures during its annual convention.
Year-end beef demand for 2000 was nearly 3.6% higher than the prior year, according to officials.
During the same period, beef expenditures reached $52 billion, and consumption topped 66.2 pounds (chicken was second most-popular, with 55.8 pounds, per capita).
Demand also fueled average retail prices, which increased roughly 15 cents per pound despite the supply glut, compared to 1999 prices.
The industry also announced an aggressive goal to boost demand an additional 6% by 2005.
Dairy Site Readies for Debut
DALLAS -- Dairy.com, an independent Internet exchange founded by a consortium of leading dairy industry organizations, announced a planned opening to the entire dairy industry sometime during March 2001. A just-completed pilot, involving seven companies, 66 plants and 69 traders and schedulers was successful, according to officials.
In March, Dairy.com will begin offering live trading of select commodities including milk and cream, logistics estimating tools and industry-focused content.
Five key functional platforms are under development, as well, including a dairy commodity exchange, information tools, supply-chain management tools and industry-focused community and content. Momentx, an e-market solution provider, is the parent company of Dairy.com, and operates INC2inc, a site for food and beverage.
U.S. Catfish Get Logo
BELZONI, Miss. -- The Catfish Institute has introduced a new seal identifying all U.S. farm-raised catfish fillets.
The red, white and blue logo, reading "U.S. farm-raised catfish," indicates both catfish farmer and processor meet the quality standards set by the industry and have passed all applicable inspections required by U.S. government regulating agencies.
Domestic farm-raised catfish must be processed and packaged in less than 30 minutes, according to TCI guidelines. The fish themselves are to be raised in a quality-controlled environment of clay-based ponds, and feed on high-protein pellets that give the flesh a mild, sweeter flavor.
Retail Help Sought in Listeria Plan
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's just-released action plan to combat Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods includes a provision to "initiate projects with retail operations such as delicatessens and salad bars to pilot new L. monocytogenes control measures including employee practices."
The agency, along with the Department of Health and Human Services, has unveiled an eight-point plan that also includes possible new regulations for all links in the distribution chain, trade and public education initiatives and development of training and technical models for food safety-related managers.
