Washington - Senate Democrat Leader Tom Daschle said he had scheduled a hearing on Jan 5 to discuss low hog and cattle prices and to look for solutions.
“Prices have literally collapsed and producers are being devastated,” Daschle, of South Dakota, said. “When selling prices don't even come near the cost of production, small and medium sized producers -- even the most efficient producers -- are being driven out of business.”
Hog prices have fallen below 10 cents per lb in South Dakota, Daschle said, the lowest price since 1955.
USDA has begun a number of steps to help hog farmers. They include a speed- up in purchases of pork for public feeding programs, incentives to other nations to buy U.S. pork and a meeting on Monday between Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, retailers and meatpackers.
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
Return to Home Page