Month: June 2018

Trade War Hurting U.S. Pork

From: Ohio’s County Journal and Ohio Ag Net

According to Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes, U.S. pork producers have lost $2.2 billion on an annualized basis due to events leading up to and following China’s 25% punitive tariffs in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel.

“U.S. pork has invested significantly to ramp production to capitalize on growth opportunities around the world, including China and other markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region,” said Jim Heimerl, a Johnstown, Ohio pig farmer and president of the National Pork Producers Council.  Continue reading Trade War Hurting U.S. Pork →

Balance Quality, Quantity to Help Your Hay Crop ‘Catch Up’

By: Vermeer’s Makin Hay Editors

Severe blizzards, drought and rangeland fires were major storylines for hay and forage producers and cattlemen in the months leading up to spring 2018, when alfalfa and other forage crops started their growth cycles for the year.

Those challenging conditions led to shortages of necessary feed sources for many livestock producers, causing them to purchase more hay than normal or seek alternative stocks to get their herds through the winter. That caused a spike in prices, with some types of hay selling for almost twice the normal price in late winter and early spring. Continue reading Balance Quality, Quantity to Help Your Hay Crop ‘Catch Up’ →