Hogs - General
Says its producers are already working with animal health professionals to assure safe meat supply.
Margin changes effective August 5, 2012.
USDA says that 69,100 farms raised hogs last year, the same number as in 2010.
Report is bearish for hog market, supportive for cattle.
Report expected to show All Hogs & Pigs at 101.7% of year-ago.
Says restaurant owners increasing staff in the months ahead.
Report reaction should be relatively limited.
Cereal supplies improve in spite of tight coarse grains.
Report shows retailers have not yet begun buying hams aggressively for Easter features.
Retail pork prices averaged $3.495 per pound last month, up 3.4¢ from December and 25.4¢ from January 2011.
Index signals growth in the industry continues.
Beige book highlights recent economic activity.
Researchers look at how to balance pork quality with feed economics.
Says U.S. HRW wheat area also in need of more precip.
Meanwhile, Consumer Confidence Index retreats.
Total pork exports of 2.255 MMT and beef exports total 1.287 MMT in 2011.
Hog production returned to profitability in 2011, but producers remain cautious about the future.
The decline was driven by sharp falls in international prices of cereals, sugar and oils.
Outside markets supportive for commodity buying to start new year.
Models split as to strength of episode this winter.
2011 turning out a banner year for pork and beef exports.
After years of struggling to earn a profit, pork producers could find themselves back in the black, says a Purdue Extension economist.
USDA is predicting 2012 pork imports and exports will be close to this year’s level.