March 15, 2009

Cover Story

Use Risk Management to Avoid Pitfalls

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Brian Buhr University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN

Macroeconomic fundamentals will dominate the markets and trickle down to pork producers, so keep a close eye on inflation/deflation signals. On July 14,...

This month’s focus: Risk Management

Making Money in a Down Market

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Joe Vansickle Senior Editor

Two Minnesota farm families share their risk management strategies. Without a risk management program, the Becker family of Fairmont, MN, admits they...

Lender Predicts More Market Volatility in 2009

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Joe Vansickle Senior Editor

Ups and downs in the market should equal breakeven year for many. If anything is for certain in 2009, it is that volatility has become the norm in the...

Cash Flow Hedges Have Accounting Implications

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By T.J. Boyle FROST, PLLC Little Rock, AR

Understanding the pros and cons of hedge accounting should be considered in your risk management plan. Hedging and key risk management principles have...

Decision Making By Consensus

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Mike Brumm Brumm Swine Consultancy, LLC North Mankato, MN

The team approach to gathering and exchanging information can make the decision-making process better. The substantial swings in feedgrain prices in 2008,...

Manage Volatility, Manage Risk

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Donald M. Fedie Agri Control Co., Inc. Sioux Falls, SD

Know your costs, write a plan and execute it with discipline to manage risk and protect your hard-won assets. Economists' predictions that 2008 would...

Turnaround Stall Worth a Second Look

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Dale Miller Editor

The '90s design offers a compromise between stalls and pens for gestating sows. If you are among the legions of pork producers struggling to decide if...

Gestation Pens Fare Favorably to Stalls

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Joe Vansickle Senior Editor

When performance data is tabulated for sows housed in stalls vs. sows housed in pens at Dykhuis Farms, Inc. there is little difference in the overall...

Manure Agreements Cover Buyers, Sellers

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Loretta Sorenson

Hog manure has become a hot commodity for pork producers who collect it and crop farmers who need it. This growing interest in the nutrient value of hog...

Uncertainty Engulfs Meadowbrook Farms

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Karen Bernick

The farmer-owned packing plant shutdown raises more questions and discontent. News of Meadowbrook Farms Cooperative suspending operations at its $39 million...

From My Perspective

Industry's Stimulus Package Cull Sows

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Dale Miller Editor

It's tax season and as predictable as a New Year's resolution we vow, again, to keep closer tabs on our dollars. It's a wise pledge. But in these trying...

Veterinarians on Call

Impact of Salmonella From Farm to Fork

Mar 15, 2009 12:00 PM, By Paul Armbrecht, DVM Lake City, IA

Salmonella remains a pervasive problem that survives well in the environment. Salmonella bacteria has been known to exist for over 100 years, associated...