Understanding the causes of injuries in ag occupations can help improve safety and policy measures. However, obtaining a comprehensive overview of injuries is hindered by the absence of a central reporting system.
The USDA’s June Hogs and Pigs report holds some slightly bearish surprises; however, most are fairly small deviations from pre-report expectations, says Jason Franken, ag economist at Western Illinois University.
Meat processing plants in the U.S. have garnered considerable public attention recently. A new study looks to identify characteristics associated with plant survival and provide crucial information for legislators.
The University of Illinois is partnering with Perdue Farms and Cornell University on a project to study policy and management approaches to further reduce Salmonella cases linked to raw poultry.
The outlook is fairly bearish for the near term with more potential for optimism in the latter half of 2023, says Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University and contributor to the farmdoc team.
Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University and contributor to the University of Illinois farmdoc team, says he's optimistic about hog prices and weighs in on the December Hogs and Pigs report.
From zebrafish to chickens to boars, students on the University of Illinois animal welfare judging team learn to evaluate living conditions for a wide range of animal species.
The smaller pig crop should imply a similarly smaller slaughter this winter, says Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University, regarding the USDA's September Hogs and Pigs Report.
Jason Franken, WIU ag economist and contributor to the University of Illinois farmdoc team, forecasts hog prices for the next four quarters following the recent USDA Hogs and Pigs Report.
USDA’s March Hogs and Pigs report places the March 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs at 72.209 million head, down about 3% from last quarter and 2.3% from the prior March, compared to pre-report estimates of 1.2% lower.
The USDA’s December Hogs and Pigs report places the Dec. 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs at 74.2 million head, down about 1% from last quarter and 4% lower than the same time last year.
The USDA’s June Hogs and Pigs report places the June 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs at 75.7 million head, up about 1% from last quarter and down 2% from a year ago, consistent with pre-report expectations.
The USDA’s March Hogs and Pigs report estimates represent the first March-over-March reduction since 2014, says Jason Franken, Western Illinois University ag economist. Here's his perspective on the pork outlook.
Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University and contributor to the University of Illinois farmdoc team, weighs in on the USDA's December Hogs and Pigs report.
USDA’s September Hogs and Pigs Report places the Sept. 1 inventory at 79.1 million head, a record for this quarter. Jason Franken of Western Illinois University says this could be a continuation of industry expansion.
Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University, says another all-time record hog inventory amidst the COVID-19 pandemic extends further downward pressure on prices. Here's his take on the report.
The USDA’s December Hogs and Pigs report indicates that producers continue to expand, says Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University.
Farms are much more specialized in crops or animals today, and few have both. Has this changed the relative economic importance of crop and animal agriculture in the U.S.? asks Purdue University ag economist Chris Hurt.
USDA's acreage numbers injected a substantial amount of uncertainty into both markets that appears set to stay in place throughout the summer, according to University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.
Corn prices fell on a forecast of more abundant supplies in the next marketing year and growing old-crop ending stocks, according to University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.
On May 1, the USDA Grain Crushing report will provide an estimate of corn used for ethanol production in March. An expectation of continued weakness is in place for ethanol-based corn consumption that led to the USDA’s reduction by 150 million bushels since the September WASDE report, according to University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.
