Pork Expo Producers Program Centers On Market Outlook, Managing Risk
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Fanning Staff
NORTH CORNWALL (Leba
non Co.) Pork may be the
meat of choice worldwide
about 42 percent of all meat con
sumed is pork, with China and
Japan the number-one con
sumers.
At a swine educators meeting
conducted in Des Moines, lowa,
last September, Ken Kephart,
Penn State swine specialist,
pointed out some joys and
downfalls of packers and pro
cessors.
For more news about the in
dustry, regional pork producers
are invited to the 22nd annual
Keystone Pork Expo Wednes
day, Feb. 9, at the Lebanon
Valley Expo Center on the Leba
non Fairgrounds in North
Cornwall.
This year’s meeting will fea
ture a trade show with more
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24 S. Main Street, Manheim, PA 17545
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Speaker: Leonard Vandenburg,
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Monday, February 14
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Tuesday, February 15
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than 35 exhibits and educational
seminars for producers. As in
the past, the Expo will sponsor a
“Pork Bowl” for competing 4-H
and FFA members throughout
the state.
Steve Meyer, director of eco
nomics programs for the Na
tional Pork Producers Council,
will be providing advice on con
trolling risk in swine enterprises.
Laura Cheney, assistant pro
fessor of agricultural economics
at Michigan State University,
will discuss marketing and pro
duction contracts.
Both speakers are known na
tionally for their expertise and
programs.
Robert Mikesell, senior exten
sion associate, and Leon Ressler,
Lancaster County extension
Where: Stover Farms, Carlisle
Cumberland Co.
When: Thursday, February 17
Saturday, February 19
Time:
Directions: Upon exiting the
Clarion Hotel and Convention
Center, turn left on Rt. 11 south
Travel one mile and turn left on
South Middlesex Rd. Proceed
across railroad tracks and turn
right on Horners Rd. to the first
farm on right.
' agent, will update the audience
on results from an odor
reduction field research project
conducted on several swine op
erations throughout Pennsylva
nia.
Lou Moore, ag economics spe
cialist at Penn State, will pro
vide his hog market outlook.
A Legislative Activity Fund
Auction is scheduled in the Cen
tral Hall, with a live auction
conducted by Col. Harry Bach
man at 10:30 a.m. Silent bidding
closes at 1 p.m.
Programs are available in
most county extension offices.
At the meeting in Des Moines,
it was pointed out that shortage
of packing plant capacity will
continue to be a problem. In
1998, the U.S. slaughtered about
Barn Owl 2000
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9:30 am until 12:00 pm
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100 million head of swine.
The swine industry reflects
the changing face of agriculture,
with more vertical integration,
similar to poultry producers.
Total hogs on finishing con
tracts in 1997 amounted to 44
percent. Total hogs farrowed
under contracts in 1997 was
about 17 percent.
Types and percentage use of
finishing contracts were pay
ment made for pig space (equiv
alent to a building lease), 32
percent; payment per head, 53
percent; and payment per
pound, 10 percent.
In 1997, 10 percent of the
hogs were owned by packing
plants. In 1999,25 percent of the
hogs were owned by packers.
Percent of operations using
lick, Stover Farms, showing the benefits of Barn Owl 2000.
AI: 47 percent.
The largest hog producer in
the U.S.: Smithfield.
Although profits are down,
and expected to be tight for
years to come, according to ex
perts, the industry is producing
twice as much pork today as it
did in the 19605.
The elasticity of demand
should also be noted. Today a
small change in supply creates a
large shift in prices. In 1978-
1979, a 15.6 percent increase in
supply resulted in a 23.7 percent
decrease in prices. In 1997-1998,
a 10.1 percent increase in supply
resulted in a 39.7 percent de
crease in prices.
See schedule
page A 33