By: Jessica Cihacek
jcihacek@kcautv.com
It's been the "hot" trend all Summer: very little rainfall and record breaking temps. Together, it was a recipe for disaster when it came to crops and livestock.
Bill Tentinger, President of the Iowa Pork Producers out of Le Mars, IA, says, "This drought has more tentacles on it than a lot of people realize."
You see, poor crops have increased the demand and price of feed, forcing many pork producers like Bill Tentinger, to get rid of their hogs, now, while they're considerably smaller, just so they don't have to keep feeding them.
But now there's a glimmer of hope. The USDA is purchasing up to $170 million worth of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks.
Over half of that money is going to pork.
In its most recent news release, the administration says:
"The purchase will help relieve pressure on American livestock producers during the drought, while helping to bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand while providing high quality, nutritious food to recipients of USDA's nutrition programs."
What that does, Tentinger says, is help stabilize the market and create a level playing field for producers. Especially pork producers.
He says, "I really don't see any hope in making any money, but at least we can curb the losses."
And while it may not sound like much, it is. More than anything, Tentinger says, it helps create good morale in rural America. When producers know that their administration is aware there's a problem and is making an effort to help.
The USDA's pork purchases will begin sometime within the next six weeks and will go into the Spring. The USDA will start with sow-based meat, which would include sausage and brats. This is good news for producers currently dealing with problems trying to liquidate their sows. The USDA will then move into purchasing the market hogs, which is more of the loins, chops and hams.
