CHICAGO, Illinois
Over 36K lbs. of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled
Kraft Heinz is recalling about 367,812 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products that may be contaminated with Listeria, the USDA announced.
The affected turkey bacon was produced from April 24 through June 11, according to FSIS’s announcement. The impacted products, which have the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the label, were shipped to retail locations nationwide USA TODAY reported.
The FSIS added that there have been no confirmed reports of “adverse reactions” in those who have consumed the recalled turkey bacon.
WASHINGTON
Cattle groups urge USDA to maintain ban on Mexican livestock imports
Nineteen national, state and county cattle associations representing 13 states sent a letter urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to delay the resumption of live cattle imports from Mexico until the New World Screw Worm (NWS) is fully eradicated within its borders and a comprehensive, science-based risk assessment is completed and made available to the public review through a formal notice and comment process.
The groups cite the recent explosions of NWS outbreaks in Panama as evidence of failed containment efforts, noting that the parasite has since advanced into Mexico. As of June 21, 2025, USDA confirmed multiple NWS detections within Mexico’s borders.
According to the letter, USDA’s plan to reopen southern livestock ports lacks sufficient risk data. While the agency described the Arizona port as presenting the “lowest risk,” the groups stated there was no explanation of quantification of how that risk was assessed or measured.
AMARILLO, Texas
Union wins big in negotiations with Tyson Foods
Negotiations panned out for Teamsters Local 577 members at Tyson Foods of Amarillo, Texas, after they overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike in late June. The potential walkout accelerated negotiations over the four-year collective bargaining agreement which had been on the table since February. Local 577 members’ terms in the now-ratified contract included a 32% wage increase, more paid time off, and expanded retirement benefits, according to a Teamsters’ press release.
ARLINGTON, Virginia
American Butter Institute calls out Country Crock claims
The American Butter Institute asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take action against Country Crock’s “dairy free salted butter” in a complaint sent June 25, asserting that the product’s label violates federal regulations.
The plant-based spread’s front label, in bold letters, describes itself as a form of butter, although federal standards of identity, along with legislation passed by Congress, defines butter as a product made from milk. In smaller print, Country Crock products describe themselves as “79% plant-based oil spreads,” NMPF reported.
MADISON, Wisconsin
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center Field Day – July 17
Each stop will feature a brief introduction to the research program(s) or a research project, and will include a conversational Q&A. Stops will include some signage with brief details about the experimental layout. This will be a walking tour of the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center plot research.
The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center at S8046 Hway 12, North Freedom, Wisconsin. Following the field day, participants are invited to stay for the Sauk Soil and Water Improvement (SSWIG) producer-led watershed group meeting and dinner from 5-7:30 p.m.. This event is free. Registration is only required for the SSWIG meeting and dinner.
WASHINGTON
US and Vietnam reach initial tariff deal
President Donald Trump said he will reduce tariffs on Vietnam while Hanoi will open its market to U.S. agricultural products and strengthen rules of origin standards to cut down on transshipment, according to a draft statement obtained by POLITICO.
According to Trump, Vietnam will pay a 20 percent tariff on all imports into the U.S. and a 40 percent tariff on goods that are shipped through Vietnam from other countries. While that’s a lower tariff rate than Trump initially threatened with his reciprocal tariffs, it would mark a higher rate than Vietnam experienced during the three-month pause, POLITICO reported.
In exchange, Vietnam has committed to opening up its market to a variety of U.S. imports that Hanoi has traditionally blocked, according to a draft joint statement obtained by POLITICO.
MEXICO CITY, Mexico
Mexico to open sterile fly plant to combat screwworm in 2026
Mexico’s government said on Monday that it has started to build a $51 million facility in the country’s south as part of an effort to combat screwworm, a pest that has disrupted Mexican exports of cattle to the United States, Reuters reported.
Mexico’s agriculture ministry said in a statement that the plant, a joint project with the U.S., will produce 100 million sterile screwworm flies per week once completed in the first half of 2026.
The release of sterile flies, which reduce the reproducing population of the wild flies, is a key tool in controlling the pest.
The United States, Mexico’s biggest trading partner, is paying $21 million of the cost and Mexico is spending $30 million, the statement said.
The U.S. closed its southern border to imports of certain livestock, including cattle, from Mexico on May 11 after screwworm, which has been eradicated in the U.S. for decades, began moving northward in Mexico.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Ag Briefs: Cattle groups urge USDA to maintain ban on Mexican livestock imports
Reporting by Colleen Kottke, Wisconsin State Farmer / Wisconsin State Farmer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
