In a letter to USDA Secy. Tom Vilsack, 28 federal legislators asked USDA for “emergency relief in response to skyrocketing feed costs” that threaten the viability of the organic poultry and dairy industries going forward.
“The situation is dire and requires your immediate attention. We urgently ask that you work closely with Congress and stakeholders to develop a solution that quickly gets assistance to producers to prevent further losses,” the letter said.
The effort is being led by Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Reps. Jared Huffman of California and Chellie Pingree of Maine.
Demand for organically certified beef, pork and poultry is skyrocketing: In the most recent survey of organic food production, USDA reported that in the two years ended 2021, production of livestock and poultry was up 32%, to $2.2 billion, and that of broiler chickens alone was up 35%, to $1.51 billion. Sales of meat and poultry products were up 15% in ‘21 over 2019, to $2.86 billion.
While feed costs vex all livestock farmers, those in the organic space are further limited in their options because they are required to source only organic feedstuffs which typically constitute more than half of their total cost of production. The lawmakers pointed out in their letter that prices for organic soybeans in the U.S. reached $40.52 per bushel in May 2022, up close to 110% from January 2021’s $19.37 per bushel.
Organic animal proteins are a small part of the overall sector, at about 1.8% of volume, but comprise 10% of poultry production in the U.S.
