Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Lance Mulberry
5 Economic Skills for the Next Generation of Pig Farmers
The typical swine producer wears many hats, managing animals, employees, facilities, finances and markets. With such a wide range of responsibilities, preparing the next generation requires more than teaching day to day skills, it demands building a broad and adaptable professional toolkit. One essential skill set to add to that toolbox is economic reasoning and analysis. Economics is often misunderstood.
Oikonomia on the Farm: Succession Planning is About More Than Wealth
Succession planning is often treated as a legal or financial exercise — a “simple” matter of wills, taxes and transfer dates. Yet for family-owned farms and agribusinesses, it’s something deeper: the deliberate handoff of a way of life. The ancient Greeks had a word for this kind of management, oikonomia, from which we get the term economy. Understanding what they meant by it can reorient how families think about preparing the next generation.
Multi-State Grain Merchandiser Files for Bankruptcy: What Farmers Should Know
Hansen-Mueller Co. is a nationwide grain merchandiser and processor with nine elevators across five states. It also operates port terminals in Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin and Ohio. Earlier this week, the Omaha-Nebraska based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In October, it was reported more than three dozen Nebraska farmers were owed a total of $2 million. At that time, Hansen-Mueller’s grain dealer license was suspended by the Nebraska Public Service Commission.
Fake Farmer Steals $8.75M In Green Energy Scam
Wearing a saccharine grin, Ray Brewer swished fat fingers through a bucket of fertilizer pellets and rattled out the mating call of a con man—the sweet sound of money. In droves, the faithful dumped $8.75 million into his agricultural skin game. Nestled in a basement chop shop beneath the glamor of an infinity pool and a house in the hills, Brewer bilked investors and farmers from 2014-2019, based entirely on cow manure and the lure of biogas, renewable energy, and tax incentives.
Biosecurity: Stack the Deck in Your Favor
From the weather to prices, production to demand, and everywhere in between, this is an industry where certainties are scarce and variation reigns supreme. In essence, pork production is the art and science of stacking the deck that nature and the market deals out. In a variation-dominated world such as this, including probabilities in cost-benefit calculations can be a great way to enhance their quality.
How Old Are Your Weaned Pigs Really?
When asked how old your weaned pigs are, you likely respond with a simple answer like 21 days. But are the weaned pigs really 21 days old or is that just the interval from loading into the farrowing room to weaning? While it might be tempting to think this distinction is trivial, this is just one of many aspects of hog production where an overreliance on averages to measure performance has allowed for systematic inefficiency.
The Economics of Herd Closure: What’s the Real Cost of a Disease Outbreak?
It’s no exaggeration to say the very economic heart of the swine industry is the sow farm, because any successes or failures will flow all the way through the production chain to the final consumer. Managing sow health is critically important, especially considering such challenges as PRRS 1-4-4 L1C.
Animal Welfare Laws: The Issue is Never the Issue
California’s Proposition 12 and the similar laws passed in Massachusetts and New Jersey are one of the most significant domestic challenges our industry has faced in recent history. With 17% of the U.S. population in these states, the pork market has effectively been partitioned. While there has been some hope that this new market will provide additional premiums to producers, it is prudent that any potential short-term gains do not distract from the long-term dilemma these laws present.
What's the Secret to Economic Resiliency in the Pork Industry?
One thing economists are particularly bad at is predicting what the future holds for the economy or specific market trends. Still, economists find gainful employment making predictions. The reason comes down to economic resiliency. Everyone is hoping to obtain a bit of information that will help them make better decisions and maintain profitability even when times get tough.
Barn Technology and Big Data: Something Worth Doing
The great writer and wit of the early 20th century, G.K. Chesterton, once said “anything worth doing, is worth doing badly.” This quote is a reminder that any undertaking that is important cannot wait for ideal circumstances before proceeding. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. This quote applies particularly well to our industry.
Subpopulations: Hidden Pockets of Value
Here at KnowledgeVentures, the economics of variation has been the cornerstone of our work for many years. While variation has many negative impacts, one of the most economically significant is found in weight at finishing. When a pig falls outside the acceptable range of weight and lean set by the packer matrix, it receives a penalty to the base price, often called sort loss. By reducing variation at finishing, sort loss is reduced, marketing improved and profits get a much-needed boost.
2024: The Beginning of Something Extraordinary
When future historians of the hog industry look back, I believe they will point to 2024 as being a pivotal year where two very important trends emerged. These historians will admit that while nothing dramatic happened over the year due to these trends, it is nonetheless, the beginning. The first (and most sobering) trend is the beginning of the end of pork exports being the value-added leader it was in prior years. Demand requires two fundamental ingredients: people and money.
Wild Pigs Cause Fatal Crash in Texas
Two people were killed and one person was seriously injured after a group of wild pigs caused a head-on collision in Jim Wells County, Texas, on Oct. 24. Criselda Ramirez, 20, and Crystal Botello, 30, were killed on Tuesday after Ramirez swerved to avoid striking a group of wild pigs in the road, reports Channel 3 News in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Profit Tracker: Feed Costs Decline, Margins Improve
Cattle feeding margins gained $30 per head the week ending Oct. 21, and average profits were estimated at $327 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker. Beef packer margins were nearly steady and remain about $75 per head underwater. The packer-feeder margin spread was $402 per head advantage cattle feeders. For the week ending Oct. 21, cash cattle prices averaged $186.48 per cwt., up about $1.59 per cwt. from the previous week. That price is 20% higher than last year’s $150.53 per cwt.
New Standards for Organic Livestock and Poultry Production Available for Preview
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack previewed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) final rule on Wednesday. This new rule establishes clear, strong and consistent standards for organic livestock and poultry production, levels the playing field for organic livestock farmers, ranchers and businesses and promotes fairer, more competitive markets for their products, while providing consumers with more transparency about their purchases, USDA said in a release.
The Corporate Transparency Act: What You Need to Know
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, you will be required to report online to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCen) any entity that is required to be filed with your state. That includes corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), Limited Partnerships (LP), etc. If the entity was in existence before Jan. 1, 2024, the due date for this filing is Dec. 31, 2024. If you create a new entity in 2024, however, the filing must be done within 30 days.
National FFA Convention and Expo: 8 Things to Know Before You Go
How is FFA growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world? For many young people, growth occurs during the National FFA Convention & Expo. FFA members and advisors from all over the country will be gathering in Indianapolis, Ind., for the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo on Nov. 1-4. "No matter where you are in FFA, you’ll find inspiration and direction to become a leader and influencer, ready to make an impact.
What Will Drive Big Change and Profitability in the Future of the Pork Industry?
As we close out 2023 and look ahead to 2024, there are changes happening in the meat industry that are worthy of note. Not only do they tell us about the future of the meat industry, but they provide clues into what the pork industry can anticipate as it evolves to opportunities and challenges laid in its lap. Two of the biggest evolutions underway are the increasing involvement of government as a power partner with large businesses and a shift in meat demand.
When Stress Stacks Up: It’s Time to Make Weaning a Better Experience
One day, he’s hanging out with his brothers, basking in the warmth of his mom. The next day, he gets mixed in with his neighbors and finds himself in a new home with new smells, sights and sounds. Mom is nowhere in sight. Instead of warm milk, he’s being offered dry feed that doesn’t taste nearly as good. The fighting is exhausting, the fear is burdensome, and to put it simply, the newly weaned pig has a big pile of stresses stacked against him.
The Fight for Pork Producers’ and Consumers’ Choice Continues
The uncertainty surrounding Proposition 12 is one reason why Scott Hays, a Missouri pork producer and president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), says he’s not interested in changing how his farm produces pork. That producer choice is exactly what NPPC continues to fight for, he says, because NPPC believes that also provides consumer choice. “Most of the cost is borne by the producer.
Profit Tracker: Feeder Margins Decline
Cattle feeding margins declined about $50 per head for the week ending Sept. 9, closing at an estimated $333 per head. Beef packers saw a modest $3 decline to per head profits of $39, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker. While the packer-feeder margin spread narrowed, market leverage remains solidly in favor of cattle feeders. For the week ending September 9, cash cattle prices averaged $183.21 per cwt., mostly steady with the previous week.
Olymel Announces Closure of Two More Pork and Poultry Plants
Olymel LP is planning to close two more plants in the coming months, affecting about 400 jobs in the company. According to CBC News , the Canadian meat processor and distributor said the closures are part of measures to reorganize its business lines and optimize operations at its facilities. It will close its pork boning and packaging plant in Princeville, Quebec, with the last day of operations being Nov. 10. It is also closing a poultry processing plant in Paris, Ont.
Demand Mindset: Where Will Pork Production Go Now?
Many years ago, I noticed a definite shift in the reason or mindset of production from producers and their industry suppliers. Prior to 1985, I dubbed the only real motive in the country as the pig production mindset. It was characterized by small herds, few records except regulatory and tax receipts, and a knowledge of most of the animals as individuals. Animal husbandry was the primary human input.
No, He’s Not a Buffalo: Why We Can’t Avoid Their Questions Anymore
“Is this a buffalo?” asked a young 20-ish fairgoer as he stood before the Grand Champion Market Steer in the Hall of Champions at the Illinois State Fair. He looked at me – dead serious – awaiting my response. To my credit, I didn’t laugh. I quickly and calmly answered, “No, this is a steer. But he certainly has fluffy hair, doesn’t he?” As the fairgoer wandered off to their next adventure, I stood there in a bit of shock. A buffalo?
The Mythical Performance Curve for Net Sow Output
One of the most neglected parts of sow management is the culling process. In our experience, when most farms voluntarily cull an animal, they do so on the basis of total parities or age. There is this mythical performance curve for net sow output, which on average, rises from the gilt litter and peaks somewhere in the third or fourth parity. From there, it is all downhill.
Reinvest in the Demand Attributes of Generation Z
In what is for many, the first time they have witnessed a significant and sustained demand drop in the pork industry, the reasons for it and the way forward to success are perplexing. It is natural to be proud of the product you are producing, which is indeed healthy and safe. But does it have the flavor to take it forward successfully in the demand profiles of the next generation, both in the U.S. and around the globe?
Will Pork Weather the Recession Storm Ahead?
As we look forward, there is good news and challenging news. The biggest threat to profit is changes in pork demand. This is a new situation for most as we have enjoyed two decades of strong demand domestically and growing net exports internationally. In the past, when profits were challenged, the result was excessive growth and too much supply to sell at profitable prices. We are not used to structural demand problems, especially the larger U.S. and global market blunting of demand.
Pork Consumers' $75 Million Price-Fixing Accord with Smithfield Approved
A U.S. judge on Tuesday approved a $75 million settlement between Smithfield Foods, Inc. and a class of consumers who accused the pork producer of conspiring to restrict supply in order to keep prices artificially high. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim in Minneapolis called the resolution "fair, reasonable, and adequate" in his order approving the deal. "The settlement class members' positive reaction supports final approval," Tunheim wrote.
A Lifetime of Training: Scott Hays on His Role as NPPC's Newest President
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Scott Hays, a fifth-generation pig farmer, manages about 5,200 sows and 34,000 nursery and finishing spaces on his farm in Monroe City, Mo. As he told AgriTalk’s host Chip Flory, he’s been training for this job for about 25 years now. “I have a long history in the industry,” Hays said. “I know the issues. I know a lot of the players in the industry.
Smithfield Foods Offers Free Tuition to U.S. Employees
Free tuition? Yes, you read that right. Smithfield Foods will offer free tuition to full-time and part-time employees through a new program specifically designed for adults in the workplace, the company said. Under this program, Smithfield plans to cover up to 100% of tuition costs for various degree and certificate programs through vetted universities and learning providers who offer flexible course schedules and programs aligned to Smithfield's career pathway opportunities, the company explained.
Wean Pig Profitability: What Will Happen This Summer?
Many people in the industry are skeptical that hog prices this summer will line up as forecasted by the summer futures prices. The June lean hog futures have drifted down from highs of around $110 to below $100 and are now racing up again and have closed recently at around $105. These prices will be highly volatile through the early spring due to several factors.
Cash Weaner Pig Prices Average $60.84, Up $4.35 Last Week
This market update is a PorkBusiness.com weekly column reporting trends in weaner pigs. All information contained in this update is for the week ended Dec. 30. NutriQuest Business Solutions publishes weekly weaner pig profitability calculations which uses industry representative production costs and futures pricing for lean hogs, corn, and soybean meal, using historical basis assumptions, to establish approximate profitability and break-even pricing for the current sale or purchase of weaner pigs.
EPA Releases New WOTUS Rule, with the Supreme Court Ruling Pending
As expected, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a new rule defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. Also as expected, the definition maintains longstanding exemptions for farming activities but trims an exclusion for prior converted cropland that had been in the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule. The 514-page rule was released by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers.
A Look Back at 2022's Crowd Favorites on Porkbusiness.com
Here's a list of the stories that drew eyes from the pork industry and beyond in 2022. Stories that help pig farmers make better decisions. Stories that break your heart and inspire growth. Stories that challenge your way of thinking and make you ask hard questions. We hope you enjoy this collection of top stories throughout the year.
Is the Turning Point for the Pork Industry Next Spring?
Everyone has their eye on next spring to be the big fork in the road or the big reveal as to how our current situation in the U.S. and global economy will find its pathway to a resolution (of inflation primarily). It is estimated that the U.S. portion of savings which was accumulated during the two years of COVID-19 restrictions will be exhausted at that point (even though the rate of savings is negative now, the stockpile is still there).
Before Emergency Strikes: Ohio State University Takes an Important Message on the Road
African swine fever (ASF) and foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness aren’t exactly topics your kids will learn about in classrooms across the country. But thanks to the efforts of The Ohio State University, more and more young swine enthusiasts are gaining knowledge and awareness of these terms and the important role biosecurity plays in protecting the U.S. swine herd.
2022 Rewind: The Cover Stories of Farm Journal's PORK
We're recapping 2022's most important issues though a look back at the covers of Farm Journal's PORK magazine. Numbers Don't Lie Randy Spronk counts on data to articulate his sustainability efforts Minnesota pig farmer Randy Spronk knows consumers have questions and doubts when it comes to modern pork production practices. He can quickly put those fears at ease when a consumer visits his farm for a tour and learns more about what they are doing on the farm.
Tracking the COVID Virus in Wild and Domestic Animals Original
USDA scientists are developing new tests and tools to identify and track the COVID virus and its variants in wild and domestic animals, says a recent press release.
How Do Vehicle Networks Play a Role in Swine Disease Dissemination?
What happens from a biosecurity standpoint when vehicles move from farm to farm? Research being conducted by Gustavo Machado and colleagues at North Carolina State University seeks to determine between-farm contact networks formed by different vehicle movements. The team has developed a novel model to reconstruct vehicle movement networks, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) repots in its latest newsletter.
Inflation: How Can We Tame the Beast?
The Federal Reserve Bank and central banks in Europe and other developed countries use multiple strategies to try to tame inflation. Those strategies, and the reality of their impact, are perplexing and difficult to understand. As you well know, interest rates have been at historic lows for many years. To stimulate growth in the economy, the Federal Reserve Bank took deliberate actions even before the pandemic but certainly during the early phases of the pandemic.
Proposition 12 Will Push Pig Farmers Out of Business, NPPC and Farmers Say
Proposition 12 regulations will increase the cost of raising pigs and ultimately, the cost of pork for consumers, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Vice President Lori Stevermer said during NPPC’s media roundtable. Increasing costs for consumers and production expenses for producers are major concerns for Stevermer, a Minnesota pig farmer who actively promotes pork at public events such as state fairs, health expos and marathons.
Pork Industry Steps Up to Address Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity
Biosecurity dominated the discussion at the 2022 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. Although sow farm and boar stud biosecurity are always of critical importance, more time than ever was focused on wean-to-harvest biosecurity. “Wean-to-harvest biosecurity is a complex issue for our industry that has been developing for many years,” explains Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) Associate Director Megan Niederwerder.
Boehringer Ingelheim Awards 2022 GRANTS Recipients
Three research proposals will receive $35,000 in funding from the Growing Research and New Technology for Swine (GRANTS) program, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. The winners were announced at the 2022 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference on Monday.
Ukraine and China Hold the Economy’s Wild Cards Now
Will higher prices associated with pork in the U.S. begin to erode the demand for pork permanently? For most products, if the price rises, people consume less of it and seek substitutes. They usually return to previous purchasing patterns when the prices return to previous levels. However, when the prices rise over a whole range of goods in an economy and income is stagnant, something else happens.
Plant-Based Food Isn't Healthier: New Book Sets Out to Debunk Myths
A new book about why eating a plants-only diet won't improve your health or save the planet is turning heads. Jayne Buxton, a British-based investigative journalist, digs into the concept that plant-based food is the best for one's health and proves why it's misleading. Every day consumers are bombarded with the message that they must reduce consumption of meat and dairy or eliminate them from their diets altogether. Buxton sets out to answer two 'what-if' questions.
Have You Looked into NRCS Program Funding? New Opportunities Available in the Reconciliation Package
USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) was allotted $19.5 billion in new conservation funding when the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed by President Joe Biden on Tuesday. The NRCS says the funds will be used to prioritize “broader efforts” that address fertilizer availability and cost issues for American producers brought on by COVID-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Australia, New Zealand Say No Issues with Meat Exports to China
Australia and New Zealand said on Tuesday they were aware of Chinese media reports of a ban on meat imports from both countries by Beijing but said they had not received any official notice and shipments had been clearing as normal. The Australian Financial Review newspaper said one Chinese media outlet had reported that agricultural imports, particularly meat, from Australia and New Zealand may be suspended due to concerns about foot and mouth disease. "We are aware of rumors.
What We Can Learn from the Europeans About African Swine Fever
The appearance of African swine fever (ASF) in Italy and recently on the border of Germany and France illustrates this disease moves in two distinct ways. Carto.com animates the various localities where the disease has appeared and spread, especially throughout Europe, Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries. Usually, the first case or two in an area appear almost from out of nowhere with no discovered disease nearby.
Challenges Build on Both Sides of the Profit Equation
After a period of profitability following the two years of COVID-19 challenges, we are starting to see some dark clouds on the horizon. Challenges are building on both sides of the profit equation: costs of production and sales revenue. Layers of uncertainty are in the air, and even if some of them were resolved today, their impacts will continue for months. The coming risks are on both sides of a decision-making teeter-totter that could drop on either side of the fulcrum.
Want Better Pork? Use a Meat Thermometer
When you cook pork, how do you know it is ready to serve? In a recent survey, two-thirds of consumers used the color of cooked pork chops to determine when it was done cooking. Now, you might be thinking…what’s wrong with that? An observant cook will notice the change from a pink or red pork chop to a more white or beige cooked color. But in a recent study, consumers were asked to identify a picture that coincided with their desired degree of doneness for pork chops.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Lance
Contact Lance, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack