"Bacon, pork prices to increase next year"
There were a few quotes that stood out to me ...
The group said farmers worldwide are cutting their herds "at a significant rate" that could double pork prices in Europe in the second half of next year.
"If I were purchasing all my grain to feed my hogs, I'd probably be closing out right now," said David Struthers.
"You will be able to eat BLTs next year. You just might be paying a little bit more for the bacon than what you did this year, but we will not run out," said Joe Kerns.
"If we have another dry year things could get really ugly," said Struthers.Wow ... there is so much to think about in this little article. First of all it has me scared ... the fear has been there deep down for awhile, but I've tried to not let it come to my mind. But, I'm with Mr. Struthers ... if we have another dry year things could get really ugly. As a beginning farmer who still hasn't established everything on the farm and as a hog farmer that must purchase feed I don't even want to begin to think about grain prices going any higher than they already are. I'm praying (really praying) for a wonderfully cold and very snowy winter followed by the muddiest spring the farm has seen!
The article goes on to talk about the shortage that is expected in Europe and the probably price increases that will be seen in the United States. Many hog produces are cutting the numbers in their herds (in fact I know a few hogs leaving the farm in my area as well) and once those cuts are felt there will likely be price increases.
But, for me the most telling quote was this one ...
The National Pig Association is calling on consumers to choose local products to help boost prices to help farmers.I whole heartedly agree with that statement! I have one question though ... are they talking about purchasing from local farmers directly or purchasing for local grocery stores. The only reason I ask is because at a recent taste test there was a pork shoulder roast from the local small-chain grocery store. The person hosting the tasting talked to the meat department at the grocery and asked about where it came from ... the grocery store said it came from Tyson, but that it probably was an Iowa pig. The host then called Tyson directly and they said there was a chance that it came from Iowa, but it also could have come from Canada or Mexico.
My thoughts ... purchase directly from you farmer and then know for sure you are supporting your local farmer! In fact we haven't raised our prices yet (and hope not to), so you can reserve a hog for the spring at the same prices you could last fall.
Buying from a local store that buys from Tyson or their ilk isn't buying locally. People need to keep that in mind. If they want what they espouse as local they really need to buy either directly from the farmer or at least make sure their getting food raised at local farms. People also generally think small and family farm when they say local so they need to make sure that is what their getting.
ReplyDeleteOn the feed prices, work towards using pasture and other things you can grow as much as possible. It can make the difference between being able to farm and being driven out of business by the costs.
I'm with you on the buy from the farmer. We are raising hogs in S Alabama and there are very few hog farmers in the area. Marketing is tricky when people don't want to pay what it really costs compared to WalMarts prices. Hoping things will go well for all farmers in the "Buy Local" movement.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are many people who don't know that you can purchase whole animals or 1/4 or 1/2 animals from local farmers and have it butchered, especially if they don't live in a rural area.
ReplyDeleteDont farmers in "Canada or Mexico" deserve to sell their products as well?
ReplyDeleteJust curious about your thoughts on supporting "all farmers" not just local.
Dean,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely farmers in Canada and Mexico deserve to sell their products! But, the article specifically said, "The National Pig Association is calling on consumers to choose local products to help boost prices to help farmers." I'm making an assumption that they National Pig Association is here in the USA and that they want people in the USA to support local farmers.
It would be my hope that Canadians and Mexicans would also support their local farmers. That's just my two cents though ...