Meat & Poultry (USA)

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND — On Sept. 4, the government of Canada announced it would provide funding to protect the country’s pork industry against infectious disease by helping develop tools to safeguard animal health, strengthen sector resilience and support future growth.

WASHINGTON — An injection to prevent infestation of New World screwworm (NWS) in cattle received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Aug. 27. The EUA is for injections of Bimectin (ivermectin) and is intended to be administered within 24 hours of cattle births; after castration or when there is an open wound that could attract flies and harbor screwworm eggs.

SMITHFIELD, VA. — Smithfield Foods awarded $800,000 in educational scholarships to 126 students attending 10 colleges and universities for the 2026-27 academic year. The scholarships are need-based and awarded to eligible dependents of full-time and retired Smithfield employees. Students can receive up to $7,500 annually in scholarships to participating colleges and universities for up to four years.

DODGE CITY, KAN. — Workers at the National Beef Packing Co. plant in Dodge City, Kan., “overwhelmingly” voted in favor of ratifying a five-year contract with the company to boost wages, generate bonuses and provide additional time off, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2. “We are proud to say that we have ratified one of the best contracts in the beef processing industry,” said Martin Rosas, president of UFCW Local 2. “This achievement did not happen by chance.

WICHITA, KAN. — Burgers have long been an American staple, and Cargill makes it a priority to know what comes next. As one of the nation’s top three beef producers, the company is committed to understanding and improving the beef burger through ongoing research and innovation. At the Cargill Innovation Center in Wichita, Kan., teams conduct simulations and research aimed at better understanding consumer preferences and emerging burger trends.

Manchester Farms Quail, today a leading US producer of quail meat and eggs, began as a hobby and side hustle. Bill Odom graduated from Clemson University with a poultry science degree and joined Campbell’s Soup Co. right out of college. In the 1970s, when Campbell’s offered Odom a corporate position at the company’s New Jersey offices, he declined not wanting to move away from his South Carolina roots.

KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Trends and Innovations: US State of Product Innovation webinar from Food Business News and Cypress Research compiled survey data that unveiled insights behind research and development priorities that will fuel product innovation over the next 12 to 18 months. The survey found manufacturers are shifting focus away from product invention toward innovating brands within their portfolios and reformulating existing products.

CAMDEN, NJ. — A challenging year culminating in a difficult fourth quarter that included a 12% decline in sales in the company’s Snacks unit has executives at The Campbell’s Co. searching for answers heading into 2027. Net income in the fiscal year ended Aug. 2 totaled $403 million, equal to $1.34 per share on the common stock, which was down 33% from $602 million, or $2.02 per share, in the 2025 fiscal year. Net sales declined 5% to $9.74 billion from $10.25 billion.

SPRINGDALE, ARK. — As the final days of Tyson Foods’ fiscal year wind down in September, company officials announced a revised, gloomier outlook for its Beef business segment beyond the projected loss of between $500 million and $650 million announced as part of its fiscal third quarter report in early August. On Sept. 3. Tyson announced a downward outlook for its Beef business for the year, projecting a loss of between $625 million and $775 million.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The California legislature has passed Assembly Bill 2244 that would establish a non-ultra-processed certified seal that food manufacturers could place on their products that meet standards for not being ultra-processed. “While Washington, DC, is paralyzed by inaction, Republicans and Democrats in California are joining forces to empower consumers to avoid harmful ultra-processed foods,” said Jesse Gabriel, the assembly member who authored the bill.