A low-grade avian influenza found at a Missouri Turkey farm has led to federal officials culling 39,000 turkeys at the facility. During a routine inspection last week, USDA says inspectors found samples of H5N1 in a healthy flock, and the birds were destroyed as a precaution. The Wall Street Journal reports the strain is far less infectious and deadly than the H5N2 virus found in the Midwest last year. Still, the scare was enough to convince Japan to ban poultry shipments from part of the Southwest Missouri County where the farm is located. Industry officials say the discovery is unlikely to affect domestic trade beyond the immediate area because the virus us less dangerous than the highly pathogenic strains. The last serious case of the more infectious virus was found in January at an Indiana turkey farm.

A government official from Mexico warns that anti-trade policy being pushed by U.S. Presidential candidates would deal a severe blow to the global economy. Mexico’s Economy Minister told Reuters that a plan to impose a 35 percent tariff on many Mexican goods would violate global trade deals and spark “chaos,” if enacted.” While not naming a specific candidate, the Mexican official was referring to a plan outlined by Republican candidate Donald Trump. Trump and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton have both expressed opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement awaiting approval by Congress. The official from Mexico made the comments while in Washington, D.C. this week meeting with trade officials from the U.S. and Canada.

A new report by AgriBank projects livestock, dairy and egg sector margins to continue adjusting downward from record levels set in 2014. The report on 15 Midwest states called the egg industry “the largest percentage loser” due to bird flu and record high prices. However, the report says the turkey industry is rebounding as flocks are rebuilt, and prices remain high. AgriBank’s Jeff Swanhorst says “2015 was, for the most part, a transition year to the reality of lower margins.” For 2016, he says the dominant themes in agriculture will be the impact of several major categories entering or continuing their expansion phases of the production cycle, the increasing dollar’s negative impact on exports, the potential for additional disease events and domestic consumer behavior. The report did say weather remains a wildcard as the transition to La Niña from the historically strong El Niño could bring major drought conditions across the Corn Belt region late in the coming growing season.

The Beef Checkoffs “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner” brand will launch the second annual 30 Day Protein Challenge this month. Americans consume nearly two-thirds of their daily protein intake at dinner, which the checkoff says does not leave room for protein in other meals or snacks. The 30 Day Protein Challenge provides a step-by-step plan to get an optimal amount of protein throughout the day. Beef Board member Chuck Kiker, Co-Chair of the Beef Checkoff’s Consumer Trust Committee said researchers have known for some time that there are health benefits to consuming protein in balanced amounts in each meal. Kiker, from Beaumont, Texas, said “significant research shows some people can lose and maintain a healthy weight and support a healthy metabolism when they consume high-quality protein within calorie goals.” To sign up for the challenge, check out Beef-Its-What’s-For-Dinner dot com. (www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com)

Residents opposed to a proposed pork processing facility in Mason City, Iowa, launched a new round of protests as the final vote by local officials on whether or not the facility will be built draws closer. Meatingplace said members of the city council for Mason City were scheduled to hold the final vote on Tuesday (yesterday) on the proposal from Prestage Farms to build the plant. Protesters renewed their objections with a march last weekend. Opponents continue to voice objections over potential environmental impacts, in addition to what some local residents said would be “increased crime rates” and “strain on infrastructure.” The $240 million project is expected to create 1,000 new jobs. Protesters said opposition would continue even if the city council votes in favor of the project. They promise to fight Prestage on subsequent local permit applications.

Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, and Committee Ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, agree there are more important things to work on than the 2018 Farm Bill. Last week, the two Senators told agriculture journalists’ that speculation regarding the new Farm Bill should wait. Roberts and Stabenow say they look forward to the Senate considering their bipartisan Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill. Each noted the Congressional Budget Office has been very slow in calculating the various costs of the provisions. Roberts says the Child Nutrition bill and bills to establish federal rather than state labeling of genetically modified foods as well as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission must come before the new Farm Bill. Roberts and Stabenow both say they are opposed to opening the current Farm Bill and were glad to beat back efforts to cut the crop insurance budget.