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Connor concerned about corn cropBy Jennifer Bremer
Weather conditions across corn country have made many nervous about corn supplies. Corn supplies, commodity prices, trade and the farm bill were all on the minds of attendees to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, recently, including the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Connor. "USDA is using every creative thought to help the pork industry through this difficult time," said Connor. "We understand the difficulty the pork industry is having." He said that, despite the higher prices for farm products, the industry continues to be challenged with high input costs and now the fear of low corn supplies due to planting challenges. "I visited my home farm back in Indiana (the last part of May) and my brother hadn't even planted any soybeans yet," he said. "Many parts of the Midwest are suffering from wet conditions. We are doing what we can at USDA to help farmers out so they can grow what is needed for feed and fuel." Connor said U.S exports continue to be at remarkable levels--$108.5 billion. That mark is $26 billion higher than 2007. Much of that growth is seen in the pork industry and with a tremendous growth in pork exports. Pork exports are up 35 percent over 2007 in both value and volume. Connor said, with the growing global income, more people are spending money on meat. Growth is expected to continue with meat exports as the enactment of the Columbian free-trade agreement is expected. He said, however, that it will be important for every part of the industry to work together to keep profitability up. Connor assured pork producers that they haven't given up on the DOHA rounds and they are working toward an agreement that lowers tariffs and gets U.S. agriculture products into other countries. Higher costs Higher energy costs affect all parts of production and Connor said the increases account for a big share of the retail dollar. Pork prices are good but, with increased costs added into the equation, he assured pork producers they are doing all they can at USDA to help them out. Connor said, while ethanol is clearly a factor in the higher prices, fortunately U.S. producers are able to produce more and more corn each year. "The problem isn't the supply at this point; it is the cost," he said. "We continue to help out pork producers by buying pork for nutrition programs and making food supplies available to everyone." Nearly 70 percent of the USDA budget is used on food assistance programs, and Connor said that is directed back to the producers and farmers. Farm bill Connor said his department is disappointed with how the farm bill ended up, but it has many positives, as well. The biofuels provision is positive and there will be a push for more non-grain based ethanol production. "We are pleased with the conservation title, such as the funds available for the EQIP program--$1.75 billion," he said. Even though USDA didn't support the farm bill as it was written, they will work quickly to implement it. The mandatory country-of-origin labeling will be in place by September. He said they are looking forward to how well it will work, as it has been successful for the seafood industry over the past year. "We continue to appreciate how producers work together in such crucial times to get through the challenges faced every day in agriculture," Connor said. Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com. 6/30/08 Date: 6/25/08 Advertisement
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