NEWS ROUNDUP 1995-04-17 (3)

Catfish Output Expected to Rise

tion is expected to rebound this year with a 5% to 7% increase, following last year's decline of 4%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Catfish production was deliberately reduced last year in response to low prices in 1993, said USDA. It was the first drop in production since 1975. Production in 1994 was 439.3 million pounds.

The larger supplies this year are expected to reduce farm and wholesale prices slightly from 1994 levels.

Prices during the first quarter of 1995 were expected to be slightly higher than the first quarter of 1994 because of heavier demand during the Lenten season.

However, "as supplies increase, prices are expected to fall slightly in the second quarter and remain below 1994 for the remainder of 1995," said USDA in a report on aquaculture.

In addition to generally lower catfish prices this year, USDA expects seafood prices in general to slip due to competition from record meat and poultry production.

Milk Campaign Goes National

WASHINGTON -- Milk processors around the country can now tie-in to a new promotional campaign called "Milk. What a Surprise!," from the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board here.

The high-profile ad campaign targeted primarily to women was launched in January and features female celebrities sporting milk mustaches.

A licensing agreement approved last month by the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board's directors and the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows individual processors to use the slogan on cartons and other point-of-sale and marketing materials.

For more information on use of the slogan, milk processors can call (800) 945-MILK.

Cost of Cattle Defects Estimated

DENVER -- A recent audit of U.S. non-fed slaughter cattle found quality defects cost the industry nearly $70 for every non-fed bull and cow slaughtered last year. The loss of market value, estimated at $448 million, was attributed to a variety of factors, including hide defects, physical defects and excessive external fat.

To improve the industry's returns, the study recommended better management of non-fed cattle to minimize defects and quality deficiencies, closer monitoring of the health of non-fed cattle and marketing cattle in a more timely manner.

The audit, conducted by Colorado State University, looked at U.S. non-fed cattle slaughter, their carcasses and their byproducts, as part of a long-range plan to improve quality levels over the next 10 years.

Dannon Rolls Out Dessert Yogurt

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- A new yogurt product aimed at shoppers looking to indulge themselves without forsaking health concerns is being introduced by Dannon Co. here.

The product, called Double Delights, comes in a square, two-compartment cup with 4.5 ounces of dessert-type yogurt and 1.5 ounces of fruit topping. There are six flavor combinations including cheesecake yogurt with either cherry or strawberry fruit topping and banana cream yogurt with strawberry fruit topping. Each package averages 170 calories and has 2.5 grams of fat, the company said.

In announcing the new product, the company said consumers can eat it as they see fit by mixing the two items, eating them one at a time or alternating bites. "The flavor sensation is up to them," said a company product manager.

Meat Group Sets Board Meeting

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The National Meat Association here will hold its 1995 Summer Board of Directors Meeting and Conference at the Ritz-Carlton, Aspen, Colo., Aug. 27 to 29.

Formal meetings and social events will be planned to allow for discussions of current industry issues.

For more information, contact Etta Reyes from NMA at (510) 763-1533.

NMA, formerly the Western States Meat Association, is a nonprofit trade association for meat packers and processors, as well as equipment manufacturers and suppliers to the meat industry. It has 600 members in the United States, Canada and Mexico.