Business

Supporting Disaster Relief in Oklahoma

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:47:00 +0000

Source: Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods is providing disaster relief support in Moore, OK, the site of a series of devastating tornadoes on Monday.

The company’s Meals that Matter disaster relief trailer and cooking teams from several Tyson plant locations arrived in Moore on Tuesday to begin providing meals to victims and relief workers. Depending upon the need, the trailer and cooking teams could be on site two to three weeks.

Get Ready for USDA Crop and Livestock Surveys

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:46:00 +0000

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

During the first two weeks of June, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be contacting farmers and ranchers across the country to gather information about this season’s crop production, supplies of grain in storage, and livestock inventory. NASS will gather information about U.S. crops and livestock through several surveys focusing on agricultural acreage, crops produced and stored, and hog inventory.

Corn Planting Accelerates in Record Fashion

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:47:00 +0000

Source: Daily Livestock Report

U.S. corn farmers used some favorable weather and the marvels of technology to make large gains in getting this year’s corn crop planted last week, according to Steve Meyer and Len Steiner in today’s Daily Livestock Report (www.dailylivestockreport.com).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) weekly Crop Progress Report indicated 71% of the U.S. corn crop was planted as of May 19, 2013. Last week, USDA had pegged the percentage of the corn crop planted at just 28%.

New Crop Corn Improves Prospects for Pork Profits

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:16:00 +0000

By Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics, Inc., Adel, IA

A dry week in the Midwest will likely be reflected in substantial, probably record-high, weekly planting progress report when those data are released this afternoon. That prospect has new crop corn futures trading near $5.15/bu. today and only four cents higher than the December contract’s lifetime low of $5.11/bu. set June 15, 2012. That, of course, was about the time that last summer’s heat and lack of rainfall began to be a clear problem and prompting Dec ’13 futures to go above $6.60/bu. by early September. Should good growing conditions prevail, $5/bu. corn will be high at harvest time.

Agricultural Committees Differ in Farm Bill Cuts

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:40:00 +0000

By P. Scott Shearer, Bockorny Group, Washington, DC

Both agriculture committees passed their respective versions of the farm bill last week. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s bill, the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013,” cuts $23 billion over 10 years, while the House Agriculture Committee’s bill, the “Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013,” cuts approximately $40 billion.

Meat, Poultry and Livestock Issues in Farm Bills

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:33:00 +0000

By P. Scott Shearer, Bockorny Group, Washington, DC

Even though there is no livestock title in either the House or Senate Agriculture Committee farm bills, there are a number of key items that are important to the livestock, poultry and meat industries.

ADUFA Passes House Committee

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:24:00 +0000

By P. Scott Shearer, Bockorny Group, Washington, DC

The Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a voice vote.

U.S. Pork Thrives in the ASEAN Region

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:12:00 +0000

By Sabrina Yin, Director, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), ASEAN Region

With the closure of the Russian market and larger domestic pork supplies in South Korea, U.S. pork exports have seen challenges in 2013, but several markets are defying the trend. One of the most notable is the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.

Illinois Court Favors Producer in Insurance Case

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:33:00 +0000

Source: Taylor Law Offices

The Clay County Circuit Court of Louisville, IL, has issued an opinion on insurance coverage that has a significant impact upon agriculture and insurance policyholders in Illinois. In a recent decision, Judge Daniel E. Hartigan ruled that Country Mutual Insurance Company wrongfully refused to defend its longtime insured, Bible Pork, Inc. in the nuisance case of Pierson, et al. v. Bible Pork, Inc., (2008-MR-14), under two Country Mutual policies, the AgriPlus comprehensive general liability policy and an umbrella policy.

Meet the 2013 Masters of the Pork Industry and Prepare to be Inspired

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:07:00 +0000

The May issue of National Hog Farmer typically serves as a reflective look at the U.S. pork industry. We strive to approach stories from a “big picture” perspective. Since 2006, National Hog Farmer has profiled a hand-picked group of pork industry leaders. These Masters of the Pork Industry share their personal stories and philosophies, reflect on their careers and share their thoughts about the future of the pork industry.

National Hog Farmer Blog