Hogs and Corn Price Recovery

Chris Hurt has published an article in the University of Illinois' Farm Doc Daily discussing the prospects for future hog expansion in response to the reduced corn prices which I found very interesting. There are some negatives which may impact the industry's ability to increase the breeding herd, particularly whether porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) becomes widespread. In virgin herds this disease has been devastating to young pigs and could result in a delay in national swine herd growth. However the article is positive for long-term corn price recovery.

The same market factors which will influence swine numbers should result in an increase in the cattle herd though it will take longer for this to have an impact on corn prices. A link to Chris's article is below.

Hogs Provide Near $7 per Bushel Corn Value

Land Lease Program II

A little while back I posted about a Land Lease program, "Farmland Leases: Finding Balance in Farmland Lease Contracts." If you couldn't make the September 9 program held in Logansport, this will be held again on Thursday, December 5 in Danville, Indiana.

I attended the September program and it had very good coverage of basic principles. For additional information, see this Ag Answers Story.

Sheep and Goat Webinar

The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service will be offering a two-part webinar program, "Forages and Health for Sheep and Goats." The program will be held on Tuesday evenings, December 3 and 10 from 7-9 p.m. at various locations in Indiana. A link to a program flyer with additional information, including how to register, is included below.

Featured speakers include:

• Terry Hutchens, University of Kentucky Goat Specialist
• Greg Brann, Tennessee NRCS Grazing and Soil health Specialist
• Patty Scharko, Clemson University Veterinarian
• David Notter, Virginia Tech University Professor

Sheep and Goat Program Flyer