There are days I’m really glad that I’m not the commodity risk manager for a production company. In addition to trying to outguess the weather impacts on prices, keeping track of the basis for feed grains and soybean meal can … Continue reading →

I am a member of the Minnesota Pork Board’s research committee. This committee is charged with making the call for research proposals (RFP’s) and then deciding which proposals to fund using producer’s checkoff dollars.   Have you given thought to … Continue reading →

Yesterday the USDA and Statistics Canada released their combined quarterly estimates of the Canadian and US Hogs and Pigs inventory. The US numbers came from the June 1 estimate while the Canadian numbers are their July 1 estimate.   The … Continue reading →

We are all aware of the negative impact on our industry from the use of the term Swine Flu during last springs world wide outbreak and spread. Just last week, Korea re-opened its borders to our products and live animals, … Continue reading →

Last week I had the opportunity to tour RiverView Dairy at Morris, Minnesota. I was part of group of ag engineers who were interested in viewing the application of evaporative pads and tunnel ventilation to a 5000 cow dairy barn. … Continue reading →

As part of my consulting business, I am in a large number of swine facilities every year. When added to my years of experiences while an Extension Swine Specialist at the University of Nebraska, I like to think I’ve seen … Continue reading →

This past week I’ve had several conversations regarding summer pig performance. In every instance, the comment was made regarding faster gains this summer than typical.   This raises the question – is the increase in slaughter weights this summer due … Continue reading →

Let’s start this weeks discussion with soybean meal pricing. In Chicago, September bean meal topped out at $368 per ton on June 11. Yesterday (July 16), it closed at $287.50, an $80/ton price decline in one month. This large drop … Continue reading →

Saturday afternoon and early evening, I volunteered to assist other Minnesota Pork Producers in handing out free pork loin samples. The National Pork Board’s We Care trailer and crew were parked in Kirby Puckett Plaza at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. … Continue reading →

As we approach the July 4 weekend and holiday, many are glad to have a forecast of seasonably warm with limited moisture. For southern Minnesota, seasonably warm means temperatures in the low 80’s during the day and upper 60’s at … Continue reading →