Ag in the News

04/02/2008

National

New Hormel ads address economic downturn
A new TV spot for Hormel Refrigerated Entrees positions the products as the right answer for families forced to eat at home more due to the economy's downward spiral. MORE!

Meat companies urge Congress to leave Mexico trucking program intact
Major meat processing companies joined other agricultural interests in urging Congress to resist efforts to shut down the Department of Transportation's Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program with Mexico. MORE!

FSIS issues Import Alert Tracking System directive
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued FSIS Directive 9600.1: Illegally Imported or Smuggled Products and Reporting in the Import Alert Tracking System. MORE!

Papa John's introduces new Italian meats pizza
Pizza chain Papa John's announced the launch of a new pizza item complete with Italian meats toppings, available for a limited time only. MORE!

Popeyes launches national online video contest
Atlanta-based chicken chain Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits announced the launch of a nationwide consumer-generated video contest in conjunction with the release of its new brand position, "Bonifide." MORE!

Smokey Bones hosts 'running of the pigs'
Smokey Bones on Monday hosted a hog-wild event to promote its new all-you-can-eat baby back ribs special: a running-of-the-pigs slightly reminiscent of the famed annual running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. MORE!

Wrap Up

Corn, wheat head higher overnight. Corn futures were 3 to 5 cents higher and Chicago wheat was 4 to 9 cents higher in overnight trade. Soybean futures were 3 to 10 cents lower in the most actively traded contracts.

Day 21 of Argentine farmers strike. Farmer strikes in Argentina enter their 21st day today. Reports out of the country indicate farmer groups will decide today whether or not to continue to strike. Tuesday saw government backers rally in their support of President Fernandez.

Farm bill update. So can there still be something worked out in time for lawmakers to avoid the April 18 expiration of the 2002 Farm Bill? At least one lawmaker thinks so even though there still is no deal on funding extra spending beyond the budget baseline in the farm bill. Jim Wiesemeyer looks at the situation as well as the latest on the Renewable Fuels Standard front in two Inside Washington Today columns which you can find on the Pro Farmer page.

Record hog losses seen. University of Missouri's Ron Plain sees hog prices averaging $42/cwt. in 2008, the lowest price since 2003. But he also forecasts record-high production costs of $54/cwt, resulting in a $12/cwt. loss or $32 per head. Plain says that figure would also be a record. He sees second quarter hog slaughter rising 7% based on USDA's recent Hogs & Pigs Report.