Australia’s largest poultry and turkey business, Inghams Group Limited, is to invest Aus$70m (€47m) to expand its milling and production facilities. The investment includes the construction of a state-of-the-art feed mill and a chicken hatchery. The expansion is also set to create 400 permanent jobs within the company.

China has agreed to begin importing US beef for the first time in 14 years. Trading is expected to start no later than mid-July, pending further technical talks on import standards. In return, the US has agreed to open up to imports of cooked chicken products from China.

The Welsh Farmers Union has announced an eight-point action plan calling on local retailers to show commitment to Welsh lamb. The union is aiming to provide a clear and transparent commitment to sourcing Welsh lamb, while ensuring that labelling the lamb’s origin is also clear.

World barley stocks will end next season at their lowest point in 34 years, the latest USDA report has predicted. World inventories are forecast to close the 2017/18 season at just under 17.5m tonnes, a 29% year-on-year drop. Australia is the only country expected to maintain its barley production level.