Agribusiness Update for Thursday 10/24/13

Nearly 600 pets have died and more than 3,600 have been sickened in an ongoing, mysterious outbreak of illnesses tied to jerky treats made in China. The pace of the reported illnesses appears to have slowed, but federal Food and Drug Administration officials are now seeking extra help from veterinarians and pet owners in solving the ongoing puzzle. To date, testing for contaminants in jerky treats has not revealed a cause for the illnesses.

A new report out by the Animal Ag Alliance details the efforts and progress America's livestock, poultry and egg producers have made over more than a decade in ensuring animal well-being, protecting the environment, using antibiotics responsibly and producing the world's safest food. The report will provide stark contrast to a report from the organization that initiated "Meatless Mondays."

Lawsuits brought against Monsanto as a result of the genetically modified wheat found in an Oregon field will be consolidated. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has announced that at least 16 lawsuits will be sent to a U.S. District Court Judge in Kansas City for pretrial evidence gathering. It's still not known how the GM variety got into the Oregon field.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.