Latest News From Industry

Securing Livestock Production Against Agroterrorism
Securing Livestock Production Against Agroterrorism

Livestock producers will now have a new resource to combat foot and mouth disease through the implementation of the “Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.”

Margins Increase for Pork Packers
Margins Increase for Pork Packers

Farrow-to-finish pork producers earned $63 profit per hog last week, a $2 per head increase from the previous week. A month ago farrow-to-finish pork producers showed a profit of $33 per head. Pork packers saw their mar

Making High-Tech, Low-Cost Farming a Reality
Making High-Tech, Low-Cost Farming a Reality

Just as the Green Revolution changed the worldwide view of agriculture, precision farming has the potential to do the same thing.

Meat of the Matter: One for the Good Guys
Meat of the Matter: One for the Good Guys

After the usual legal sparring in the lawsuit BPI filed against ABC television over the network’s coverage of the pink slime controversy, the defendants caved in and paid up.

New Cases of PEDv in Manitoba Canada
New Cases of PEDv in Manitoba Canada

In the last two months, 49 sites have been identified in Manitoba Canada that are positive for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. Between February 2014 and September 2016, there were only 11 cases.

Doubts Over NAFTA Could Spark FTA Between China and Mexico
Doubts Over NAFTA Could Spark FTA Between China and Mexico

As uncertainty over NAFTA renegotiations grows, China could gain its own free trade agreement with Mexico.

Livestock Economist Glenn Grimes Dies at Age 94
Livestock Economist Glenn Grimes Dies at Age 94

Steve Meyer, vice president, pork analysis at EMI Analytics, knew and worked with Dr. Grimes for many years. He wrote this touching tribute to his friend in the CME newsletter on Wednesday.

African Swine Fever Found in Czech Republic
African Swine Fever Found in Czech Republic

The first case of African Swine Fever in the Czech Republic was reported on June 27, and was confirmed in a wild boar. So far, no ban has been announced.

Farmland Market Defies Trend
Farmland Market Defies Trend

“Steady with exceptions” might be the best way to describe the farmland market, judging by the semi-annual market update from Farmers National Company (FNC).

U.S. Farmers Running out of Opportunities to Sell Corn at Profit
U.S. Farmers Running out of Opportunities to Sell Corn at Profit

U.S. farmers who have been holding out for higher prices for their corn may finally sell their grain below target levels in the next few weeks as a government report released on Friday underscores the huge supplies left

China Steps up Inspections of Brazilian Meat After U.S. Ban
China Steps up Inspections of Brazilian Meat After U.S. Ban

China's quality watchdog has intensified inspections of Brazilian meat imports following a recent U.S. ban on some beef products from the South American country and mislabeling in some meat shipments to China.

Ranking States By ARC/PLC Payments
Ranking States By ARC/PLC Payments

It appears that 2014 Farm Bill has been better than 2008, however, remember we still have two years to go.

Tractor Tales: 1966 Oliver 770

Some antique collectors keep tractors their parents or grandparents owned. Gail Goodell of Prophetstown, Ill. has his Oliver 770 for another sentimental reason.

Attend Pro Farmer's Leading Edge Conference
Attend Pro Farmer's Leading Edge Conference

At Pro Farmer's Leading Edge Conference, July 17-18 in Des Moines, Iowa, speakers will analyze current market conditions and explore events you should keep your eye on over the next 12 months.

Five Things to Improve Your Quicken Record Keeping
Five Things to Improve Your Quicken Record Keeping

While it's still fresh in your mind, now is the time to make changes to your farm or ranch record keeping system. There are many programs available to help you organize your financial information.

Mid-Year Beef, Pork Margin Projections
Mid-Year Beef, Pork Margin Projections

The first half of 2017 produced favorable profit margins for all sectors of the beef and pork industries, with cattle feeders experiencing an exceptional string of highly profitable weeks. That’s according to Sterling

U.S. Hogs Rise on Pork Gains; Feeder Cattle Ease
U.S. Hogs Rise on Pork Gains; Feeder Cattle Ease

U.S. lean hog futures climbed to fresh life-of-contract highs on Monday, gaining on bear-spreading as wholesale pork prices reached the highest levels in more than two years.

NAFTA, H-2A Hot Topics During Fla. Farm Bill Hearing
NAFTA, H-2A Hot Topics During Fla. Farm Bill Hearing

NAFTA and the H-2A program were at the top of the mind for many specialty crop growers at the House Agriculture Committee hearing for the 2018 Farm Bill.

Corn Could be on Track for 166.2 Bu.
Corn Could be on Track for 166.2 Bu.

TellusLabs, an agtech startup company that specializes in satellite imagery analysis, predicts yields of 166.2 bu. per care in corn, and 49.5 bu. per acre in soybeans.

Rising Feed Costs Cause Higher Weaner Breakeven Price
Rising Feed Costs Cause Higher Weaner Breakeven Price

Feed costs were up $2.03 per head last week, which moved the needle on the weaner breakeven to $25.89 for last week. Lower feeder pig volume caused a bump in feeder pig prices to $26.76.

U.S. Hog Futures Hit 2-1/2-year High on Packer Demand
U.S. Hog Futures Hit 2-1/2-year High on Packer Demand

U.S. lean hog futures surged to a 2-1/2-year high on Friday as recent gains in cash hog prices prompted investor buying in futures, traders and analysts said.

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China to Treat More Animal Waste to Help Clear Rural Pollution

China plans to treat more waste from livestock breeding to improve its rural environment and reduce agriculture pollution in the world’s top pork producer.

China Addresses Soil Pollution with Agriculture Reforms

China is tackling soil pollution as part of its nationwide agriculture reforms, including treating waste from livestock breeding.

Meat Importing Countries Raise Inspection Bar for Brazil
Meat Importing Countries Raise Inspection Bar for Brazil

Meat-importing countries from North America to Europe and Asia have tightened inspection standards for shipments from Brazil in a bid to protect consumers, following a probe into possible corruption involving inspectors

Meat of the Matter: Best Dogs in Show
Meat of the Matter: Best Dogs in Show

The summer grilling season is now in full swing. But do we really need ‘The Authorities’ to tell us which hot dogs should be browning on our high-tech gas-fired grills? If so, then here’s your guide.

2017 Acreage: Corn Planted All Purposes Down 3.3% from 2016
2017 Acreage: Corn Planted All Purposes Down 3.3% from 2016

USDA June 30 Report, Corn Acreage

CME Hog Futures Climb Ahead of USDA Report
CME Hog Futures Climb Ahead of USDA Report

Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures settled higher on Thursday, and the July contract notched fresh highs, supported by their discounts to cash prices and fund buying prior to the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Wildfire Threat Continues Through Holiday Weekend
Wildfire Threat Continues Through Holiday Weekend

Several devastating fires are currently raging in the western U.S.—and hot and dry weather will only exacerbate wildfire danger through the weekend. Many areas in the Southwest haven't received any rainfall yet this m

Hot Diggity Dog: Grill Up These 10 Recipes
Hot Diggity Dog: Grill Up These 10 Recipes

These 10 unique hot dog recipes will be a hit at your Independence Day celebrations.

Pig Inventory Sets New Record
Pig Inventory Sets New Record

Much of the quarterly hogs and pigs report came in near expectations, and setting a new record for hog inventories. Total inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2017 was 71.7 million head, up 3% from June 1, 2016, an

Actor Eric Stonestreet Knows His Pig Facts
Actor Eric Stonestreet Knows His Pig Facts

It’s so rare for actors to be proponents for agriculture, we had to share Wednesday night’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Eric Stonestreet, one of the stars of Modern Family, was put to pig test whe

Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Top $300
Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Top $300

Leverage shifting from feedyards to packers as summer begins.

China to Treat More Animal Waste to Help Clear Rural Pollution

China is tackling soil, water pollution in agriculture reforms.

Meat of the Matter: It's All About Money
Meat of the Matter: It's All About Money

Here’s an animal welfare controversy that defies quick, easy analysis: It is right or wrong for people to have ‘close — I mean real close — encounters’ with lions, tigers and bears? Read on. Along with the esc

Lean Hog Contracts Finish Higher
Lean Hog Contracts Finish Higher

Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures' discounts to the exchange's hog index for June 26 at 91.10 cents attracted buyers, said traders.

Value, Convenience Drive Demand for U.S. Pork in South Korea
Value, Convenience Drive Demand for U.S. Pork in South Korea

One of this year’s top performing international markets for U.S. pork is South Korea, where exports (through April) are up 28 percent year-over-year in volume (65,743 metric tons) and up 37 percent in value ($178 mill

Continue to Expect Bearish Activity Toward Friday's Acreage Report
Continue to Expect Bearish Activity Toward Friday's Acreage Report

The big USDA Acreage report comes out June 30, and some analysts are expecting bearish news.

"Okja" The Big GE Pig
"Okja" The Big GE Pig

If you had any doubt the ideological gap between farm folk and urbanites is big enough slide an asteroid through, Okja will convince you.

Egg Executives Get Prison Time
Egg Executives Get Prison Time

Appeals exhausted in case stemming from 2010 salmonella outbreak.

GoPro Feedlot Cattle
Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Top $300

Leverage shifting from feedyards to packers as summer begins.

CME Live Cattle Futures Erase Monday's Rally
CME Live Cattle Futures Erase Monday's Rally

Feeder cattle ends sharply lower and lean hog contracts finish weaker.

EPA, U.S. Army Move to Rescind WOTUS
EPA, U.S. Army Move to Rescind WOTUS

Tuesday, EPA, Department of Army and Army Corps of Engineers announced they are proposing a rule that rescinds the Clean Water Rule, a 2015 regulation that sought to clarify water resource management in the U.S. and att

Meat of the Matter: Brazilian Ban 2.0
Meat of the Matter: Brazilian Ban 2.0

After a rush of (bad) publicity in the wake of Brazil’s meat inspection scandal, most countries resumed imports of the country’s beef — until now, as USDA halts all Brazilian meat exports. It didn’t take long fo

U.S. EPA and Army Corps Seek to Rescind Clean Water Rule
U.S. EPA and Army Corps Seek to Rescind Clean Water Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers released a proposal on Tuesday to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule, the latest move by the Trump administration to unwind environmental regulations pu

Farm Equipment: Repair or Replace?
Farm Equipment: Repair or Replace?

There are valid pros and cons to both sides of the "repair or replace" argument.

Anticipated Soybean Stocks Could Impact Prices
Anticipated Soybean Stocks Could Impact Prices

The June 1 soybean stocks estimate this year may not provide much new information, but the implications for soybean prices contained in the Acreage report could make for a long summer of depressed prices.

How to Handle Employees with Bad Attitudes
How to Handle Employees with Bad Attitudes

No one likes to deal with these types of problem employ­ees, but when you have an employee who is disruptive or has a bad attitude, you need to address the situation as soon as possible.

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Video Monitoring Adds Another Layer of Security for Animal Welfare

To maintain and improve animal welfare in poultry facilities, Tyson Foods has started using remote video auditing systems.

Tyson Foods Implements Video Monitoring for Animal Welfare
Tyson Foods Implements Video Monitoring for Animal Welfare

To maintain and improve animal welfare in poultry facilities, Tyson Foods has started using remote video auditing systems.

“Library Trends” Examines Growth of Agricultural Information
“Library Trends” Examines Growth of Agricultural Information

The first “Agricultural Libraries and Information” issue of Library Trends was published in 1990, and today the journal returns to reassess the topic.