New USDA Rules Affecting Poultry Growers

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently proposed four new rules affecting poultry growers. Two of the rules have gone into effect, and two of the rules remain proposed rules, as of September 2024. Jason Jackson offers some insight into these new rules and what they mean for poultry growers. www.southlando...
The four new rules serve as updates to the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act of 1921. Jason Jackson says the P&S Act exists to give protections to those who are actively participating in raising birds. He thinks every grower needs to know about these updates to help you prepare and figure out a bit more about your operation and your relationship with your integrator.
The first rule, Transparency in Poultry Contracting and Tournaments, went into effect in February 2024. Jason says this rule is designed to give you some key information that you may not have received before, such as the hen age of your flock. You may also have noticed that you’ve been getting additional information about the hen age of other growers’ flocks. These new pieces of information are both parts of the new rule. Read more: www.ams.usda.g...
The second rule, Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity, went into effect in May 2024. Under this rule, Jason explains that any kind of discriminatory practice based on religion, race, or other factors is prohibited. The rule also bans any type of retaliatory acts by integrators against anyone who might file suit against them or participate in any type of hearings. Read more: www.ams.usda.g...
As of September 2024, the third rule, Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems, is a proposed rule. Jason says this rule would no longer allow deductions from your base pay based on how you end up in the tournament system. This means that you could only have money added to your base pay-not have money taken away. Under this rule, everyone would get their base pay regardless of where they finish in the flock. Plus, the tournament system comparison process would be revealed. Read more: www.ams.usda.g...
The fourth rule, Fair and Competitive Livestock Poultry Markets, is also a proposed rule as of September 2024. Jason explains how this rule would clarify a few things and make sure that everybody is protected. No matter if it affects every single grower or one grower, you still have the opportunity to be protected by all of these rules. Read more: www.ams.usda.g...