Top Stories Articles
Packers Could ‘Drag Their Feet’ on Running at Full Capacity
Published May 7, 2020
Market analysts are closely watching how the meat packing companies handle reopening. Because of the current margins, there may not be much incentive for the packer to run at full capacity. "Following the boxed beef numbers closely, I think there's…Trump Calls for DOJ Investigation
Published May 7, 2020
President Donald Trump has asked the Justice Department to investigate the wide disparity between the cash cattle price and wholesale beef prices. "I asked them to take a serious look into it because it shouldn't be happening that way and…New CoBank Report Looks at COVID-19 Impact on Meat
Published May 6, 2020
A decline in U.S. meat production is expected to reduce grocery store supplies in May and June. According to a new CoBank report, meat supplies for retail grocery stores could decline 30 percent by Memorial Day, leading to pork and…MN Turkey Industry Explores Economic Impact of COVID-19
Published May 6, 2020
Minnesota's turkey industry is assessing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are a lot of moving parts. "We don't know everything that might happen. We're taking a look at the process behind a worse case scenario for…USDA Outlines Expectations for Meat Processors During COVID-19
Published May 6, 2020
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has formally outlined more details from President Trump’s executive order to reopen meat processing plants. In letters to U.S. governors and meat processing plant leaders, Perdue said meat and poultry processors will use guidance from the…MN Lawmakers Consider Priorities for Final Weeks of Session
Published May 6, 2020
Despite a shift in the budget outlook, Representative Deb Kiel thinks the legislature can still accomplish a bonding bill. "Minnesota has a lot of infrastructure. We need to make sure to take care of roads and bridges," said Kiel. "We…April Ag Economy Barometer Highlights Low Producer Sentiment
Published May 6, 2020
Producer sentiment dropped to a three-year low in the latest Purdue University - CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. For April, the barometer reads 96. That's the first time the barometer has fallen below 100 since October 2016. According to Purdue…South Dakota Wheat Crop Making Decent Progress
Published May 6, 2020
Winter wheat is progressing well in South Dakota. "We had a little bit of a set back with the winter weather event two to three weeks ago, but it seems to be coming back with good growth." said Reid Christopherson,…A Mental Toll on Producers
Published May 6, 2020
The JBS packing plant in Worthington and the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls have reopened on a limited basis. There is a significant backlog of hogs with estimates of 10,000 animals being put down on a daily basis in…