Niman Ranch

Rep. Jim McGovern Shines Light on Chinese Smithfield’s Attempt to Overturn State Laws Including Massachusetts' Question 3

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
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Both measures prohibit the sale of certain types of factory farmed pork products in these states.

Key Points: 
  • Both measures prohibit the sale of certain types of factory farmed pork products in these states.
  • “We applaud Rep. McGovern for shining light on Smithfield’s infiltration of American agriculture and the multinational conglomerate’s efforts to overturn state laws like Massachusetts’ Question 3,” said Marty Irby, president and CEO at Competitive Markets Action and board secretary at the Organization for Competitive Markets.
  • To date, 226 bipartisan Members of Congress, including McGovern, have vocalized their opposition to the nullification of Question 3 and Prop 12.
  • 171 bipartisan Members of the House sent a letter to Thompson and Scott in August of 2023 and 31 U.S.

U.S House Hearing on Chinese Infiltration of American Agriculture Set for 11:30 AM Today

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
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The hearing, entitled “The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture,” is set to be held at 11:30 AM EST.

Key Points: 
  • The hearing, entitled “The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture,” is set to be held at 11:30 AM EST.
  • The groups call comes in the wake of countless lobbying firms delisting Chinese clients as lawmakers have weighed blacklisting firms lobbying for the Chinese.
  • 171 bipartisan Members of the House sent a letter to Thompson and Scott in August of 2023 and 31 U.S.
  • Senators sent a similar letter to Senate Agriculture Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, and Ranking Member John Boozman, R-AR, last August.

Prop 12 Enforcement Begins: Landmark Crate-Free Animal Welfare Law Fully Implemented in New Year

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
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Beginning January 1, 2024, fresh pork sold in California and Massachusetts must be gestation-crate free as the two states’ historic animal welfare laws—Proposition 12 and Question 3—are fully implemented and enforceable.

Key Points: 
  • Beginning January 1, 2024, fresh pork sold in California and Massachusetts must be gestation-crate free as the two states’ historic animal welfare laws—Proposition 12 and Question 3—are fully implemented and enforceable.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231220484161/en/
    Beginning January 1, fresh pork, including bacon, sold in California and Massachusetts must be gestation-crate free as the two states’ historic animal welfare laws—Proposition 12 and Question 3—are fully implemented and enforceable.
  • Prop 12 is the right thing for both the animals and farmers, but it needs to be done in a structured manner where pork producers have support and dedicated markets.
  • While gestation crates are the dominant industry practice today, they are out of touch with consumer expectations on base-level humane animal care.

Niman Ranch Statement on FDA Report Showing Rising Antibiotic Use for Livestock

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 8, 2023
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released their annual report tracking sales of antibiotics for livestock .

Key Points: 
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released their annual report tracking sales of antibiotics for livestock .
  • Overall, medically important antibiotic sales for meat production increased 4% between 2021 and 2022, with pigs accounting for 43% of sales, cattle 41%, turkeys 12% and chickens 2%.
  • “As a longtime leader in the no antibiotics ever sector, it is dispiriting to see the use of medically important antibiotics on the rise for livestock production.
  • Raising livestock without antibiotic overuse is paramount to the future efficacy of these life-saving drugs and reducing the world health crisis of antibiotic resistance.

Niman Ranch Honors Northern California’s McCormack Ranch for Thirty Years of Partnership

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
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Niman Ranch recently honored Jeanne McCormack and her husband Al Medvitz of McCormack Ranch in Rio Vista, Calif. for 30 years of partnership, with the ranchers supplying sustainably and humanely raised lamb to the premium meat brand since 1993.

Key Points: 
  • Niman Ranch recently honored Jeanne McCormack and her husband Al Medvitz of McCormack Ranch in Rio Vista, Calif. for 30 years of partnership, with the ranchers supplying sustainably and humanely raised lamb to the premium meat brand since 1993.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921400143/en/
    Niman Ranch recently honored Jeanne McCormack and her husband Al Medvitz of McCormack Ranch in Rio Vista, Calif. for 30 years of partnership, with the ranchers supplying sustainably and humanely raised lamb to the premium meat brand since 1993.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    “Were it not for Jeanne and Al’s introduction, there would be no Niman Ranch today,” said Paul Willis, Niman Ranch’s founding hog farmer.
  • Niman Ranch is proud to partner with McCormack Ranch and the over 600 farmers and ranchers in the network who raise their animals humanely and sustainably.

Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation Awards Nearly $250,000 in Scholarships and Grants to 53 Young Farmers & Rural Leaders

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
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To commemorate Niman Ranch’s 25th annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner, the pioneering natural meat brand’s Next Generation Foundation awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarships and grants for young farmers and future rural leaders in Des Moines, Iowa.

Key Points: 
  • To commemorate Niman Ranch’s 25th annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner, the pioneering natural meat brand’s Next Generation Foundation awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarships and grants for young farmers and future rural leaders in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • First held in 1999, the celebration brings together Niman Ranch farmers, customers and partners to recognize and thank the brand’s network of independent family farmers.
  • The Zachmans were one of a total of 53 scholarships and grants totaling nearly $250,000 awarded by the Foundation at Niman Ranch's 25th Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration weekend.
  • The highlight of the evening was the presentation of scholarships and grants to Niman Ranch farm families by the Next Generation Foundation.

Niman Ranch Names Missouri’s Pastvina Acres 2023 Sustainable Farm of the Year

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
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Niman Ranch, the leading natural meat brand renowned for its humanely raised products, has recognized David and Christy Borrowman of Pastvina Acres in Smithville, MO as the 2023 Sustainable Farm of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • Niman Ranch, the leading natural meat brand renowned for its humanely raised products, has recognized David and Christy Borrowman of Pastvina Acres in Smithville, MO as the 2023 Sustainable Farm of the Year.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230822023310/en/
    The Borrowman family of Smithville, MO are the 2023 Niman Ranch Farm Family of the Year.
  • It’s a big part of our farm.” The Conservation Stewardship Program was first drafted by the late Dave Serfling , an early Niman Ranch hog farmer, a fact that David feels further enhances his farm’s special connection to Niman Ranch.
  • Chris Oliviero, Niman Ranch General Manager, said, “Niman Ranch couldn’t be more pleased to recognize the Borrowmans, a young family committed to building a sustainable farm future not only for themselves, but for others, as well.

Perdue Farms Announces Milestones In Corporate Sustainability Journey

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
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The report also highlights how the company’s sustainability efforts align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Points: 
  • The report also highlights how the company’s sustainability efforts align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Building Strong Communities: Through our Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors® outreach, Perdue continued to improve quality of life and building strong communities.
  • Being Good Environmental Stewards: The company made progress toward achieving its environmental sustainability goals and being good stewards of the environment.
  • Perdue AgriBusiness launched a groundbreaking collaboration with Bayer to reduce carbon emissions and increase sustainability in the food chain.

Fortune International Makes Three Senior Appointments in Sales and Supply Chain to Support Expansion

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
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Fortune International, LLC (“Fortune” or the “Company”), the country’s leading processor, distributor and importer of quality seafood, meats and gourmet products, today announced the appointment of three senior executives in sales and supply chain logistics to strengthen the Company’s continued market expansion.

Key Points: 
  • Fortune International, LLC (“Fortune” or the “Company”), the country’s leading processor, distributor and importer of quality seafood, meats and gourmet products, today announced the appointment of three senior executives in sales and supply chain logistics to strengthen the Company’s continued market expansion.
  • The Company also appointed Kelly Burling as Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions.
  • Santillo will support Rubin in the coordination of sales teams while overseeing and executing brand partnerships.
  • Prior to joining Fortune, Rubin was Senior Director of Retail Sales at Niman Ranch and, before that, Vice President of Sales at Wellshire Farms.

Supreme Court's ruling on humane treatment of pigs could catalyze a wave of new animal welfare laws

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 15, 2023
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On May 11, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s position by a 5-4 vote in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross.

Key Points: 
  • On May 11, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s position by a 5-4 vote in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross.
  • While the ruling was fractured and reflected complex legal questions, it is a major victory for those working to improve farm animal welfare.
  • A number of states will undoubtedly take advantage of the power that the Supreme Court has recognized.

More indoor space for sows

    • It set new conditions for raising hogs, veal calves and egg-laying chickens whose meat or eggs are sold in California.
    • The state produces virtually no pork, but represents about 15% of the U.S. pork market.
    • California’s law requires that each sow must have at least 24 square feet of floor space – nearly double the amount that most now get.
    • The National Pork Producers Council argued that this requirement imposed heavy compliance costs on farmers across the U.S., since large hog farms may house thousands of sows, and that it restricted interstate commerce.

States control farm animal welfare

    • Congress has remained mute on standards for handling farm animals, which are not covered under the 1966 Animal Welfare Act.
    • And nine states in addition to California have adopted laws requiring pork producers to phase out gestation crates.

California’s market power

    • The California law says that if producers want to sell pork in California, they must raise pigs under conditions that comply with the state’s regulations.
    • Farmers do not have to meet these standards unless they want to sell in California.
    • But instead of working out how to comply, the pork industry sought to have the courts set the California law aside.

A fractured verdict

    • In rejecting the pork industry’s position, justices in the majority disagreed as to why the California law should be upheld.
    • Some held that pork producers had not proved that the law would substantially interfere with interstate commerce.
    • Similarly, dissenting justices differed as to why the California law posed a constitutional problem.

Beyond pork

    • Conceivably, California might also be able to require basic conditions for human labor, such as minimum wage standards, associated with products sold in California.
    • I expect that within five years, Congress will enact national legislation on farm animal welfare issues that will preempt differing state laws.