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  Recent data reporting U.S. meat and poultry consumption has created a false and overly-simplistic impression that meat demand is declining, says Ron Plain, University of Missouri agricultural economist. He says that is simply not the case. In a recent background report he explains that data from recent years shows that U.S. per capita meat and poultry consumption has declined. But he says that doesn’t mean that consumer interest or demand has declined....More

Perhaps the worst-kept secret in recent memory – U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports set new records in 2011. New records were actually reached in November, but it’s the magnitude of the record that is impressive and deserving of further attention...More

Iowa attorney general Tom Miller has announced grant funds totaling $100,000 are available for projects that advance and enhance swine production in Iowa. Announced Feb. 10, the proposals are due by Feb. 15, 2012....More

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....More