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Steve Meyer

Mr.
Steve
Meyer
President
Paragon Economics, Inc.
Email:  steve@paragoneconomics.com

Steve Meyer, president of Paragon Economics, founded in 2002 to provide expert economic analysis of agricultural markets and business decisions. He brings a wealth of experience in the livestock industry, having served as director of economics for the National Pork Producers Council (1993-2001), and held the same position for the National Pork Board from 2001 to October 2002. In that capacity, Steve provided economic counsel to producers and Pork Board staff and coordinated staff and consultants’ activities regarding meat industry production, price forecasts and the economic impact of pork production and processing. In addition, he administered NPPC programs dealing with marketing and pricing systems, structure, pork industry coordination and competitiveness. Previously, Steve served as a swine business specialist with Moorman Manufacturing Company, a sales representative with Dow Chemical and sales manager for an animal health and agricultural chemical distributor. In addition, he spent three years as an assistant professor in the agriculture economics department at the University of Missouri.

Articles by Steve Meyer
Pork’s Demand Indicators Holding Strong
It appears 2011domestic pork demand will end the year showing a gain compared to 2010. I say “it appears” because the final pieces of data – December pork exports and imports – will not be available until mid-February. My calculations for December 2010 through November 2011 show demand 1.2% higher than the same period 12 months earlier. Plus, the calculations of University of Missouri Agricultural Economist Ron Plain, who used estimated December trade figures, indicate demand will be positive for the 2011 calendar year. That record was built with solid gains in the first half of the year and “hanging on” in the second half as burgeoning exports reduced the amount of pork available in the United States and, I believe, a softening economy slowed the pace at which retail prices could be increased. Retail prices still set a record in September at $3.56/lb. and remained near that level ($3.46/lb.) in December, but steady demand would have pushed those values even higher given larger exports and concurrent lower domestic availability/consumption.
Meat and Poultry Demand Struggles Continue

Meat and poultry demand continued to struggle in the second half of 2011, but still stands a chance of being higher for the year.

USDA Corn Stocks Report Throws Another Curve Ball

Sometimes, it is best to not ask “why” a situation looks a bit screwy, but rather to simply take advantage of it and move on.

Ethanol Tax and Tariff Changes Likely to Affect DDGS Value

The tax credit, which allowed ethanol blenders to save 45 cents/gallon on each year’s tax bill, and the tariff, which added 54 cents/gallon to the price of any ethanol imported into the United States, were mainstays of the federal government’s three-legged policy that contributed to the meteoric growth of corn-based ethanol production from 2006 through 2010.

When Football and Hog Marketing Strategies Overlap

For those of you who may not know, I am a loyal alumnus of Oklahoma State University. As such, the past few months have been a fun ride – save for that one evening when my other alma mater, Iowa State, played a wonderful game and pulled the college football season’s biggest upset.

Export-Driven Demand Likely the Best Ever for Pork

If I had to pick one word to describe the pork industry in 2011 – it would be "exports"!

'Your' Basis Level is What Really Counts

With Thanksgiving past, Christmas near, and the New Year fast approaching, many producers will be thinking about the trials and blessings that have come their way this year.

Sow Count Steady, but Production Trends Upward
What is happening to the U.S. breeding herd? That is a frequently asked question these days. USDA will begin surveying producers this week for the December Hogs and Pigs report, which will be published on Dec. 23
COOL Ruling Could Impact Pork Exports
The World Trade Organization (WTO) made official on Friday its finding that the United States' country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law violates WTO rules
U.S.-Canadian Pork Producers Welcome Some Stability
Canada's Oct. 1 quarterly Hog Statistics report revealed a swine breeding herd that was larger than one year earlier for the first time since April 2005. Canada's herd of 1.3083 million head was 0.1% larger than last year on Oct.1
Pork-Related GIPSA Rules Remain in Limbo
There was finally some news last week on the status of the rule that USDA's Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards (GIPSA) proposed back in June 2010.
Scary Things that Could Derail Pork Profits
Here are a few items that scare me about hog production profit prospects in the coming 12 to 18 months.
Pork Leads the Way in Domestic Meat Demand
Domestic meat demand for the past year remains well above year-ago levels, even though recent months continue to show some weakening.
Corn Yield Reports Mixed, but Stay Tuned
As has been the case in every month for the past four years, analysts and market participants will be watching tomorrow’s USDA Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports quite closely for any information that will clarify the market situation for corn, soybeans and other grains.
Modified Grain Stocks Report Offers a Golden Opportunity
USDA’s Grain Stocks report, released on Friday, was a pretty big shock to the grain trade as it indicated substantially larger Sept. 1 corn stocks than the trade expected.
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