USDA's proposal aims to level playing field for poultry growers

Jun 06, 2024

Agricultural groups applaud efforts to address industry exploitation

By Farms.com

The USDA's release of a proposed rule regarding Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems has garnered positive responses from agricultural groups.

Notably, the National Farmers Union commends the rule for its efforts to combat abuses within the poultry industry, particularly the "tournament" ranking system and coercive facility investment demands.

The Organizations for Competitive Markets and Competitive Markets Action join in the chorus of support, emphasizing the importance of preventing exploitation among contract poultry growers. They express hope for the swift finalization of these regulations to safeguard growers nationwide.

Steve Etka, policy director of the Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, underscores the rule's significance in rectifying situations where poultry companies take advantage of contract growers.

This move represents a crucial step towards fostering fairness in contracting practices utilized by large poultry corporations.

The USDA's proposed rule signals a proactive approach to addressing longstanding issues within the poultry industry.

With backing from various agricultural groups, there is optimism for a more equitable environment for poultry growers across the country.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.