During the Southern Farm Show, the Tobacco Grower Association of North Carolina holds their annual meeting. Graham Boyd, Executive VP Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina says the issues to be discussed at the meeting are more numerous than time will allow, but cost of production is one issue of major interest:
“The cost of production remains foremost on every grower’s mind. Certainly the rising cost of labor, availability of labor and the energy cost of curing out a crop whether it’s fuel or electricity.”
TGANC’s annual meeting will be Friday, February 3rd beginning at 10:00 am in the Holshouser building at the State Fair Grounds in Raleigh.
White House Plan Would Downsize Trade Outlook
The old saying goes - if it ain’t broke - don’t fix it. American Farm Bureau Trade Specialist Dave Salmonsen says that by trying to consolidate the nation’s trade efforts - they may actually break the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office.
Salmonsen explains how the USTR works:
“They’re experts on US trade, there’s a group that specifically works on agriculture. And these are the people that go head to head with trade negotiators of other countries and represent the United States in trade negotiations.”
The USTR is part of the White House staff with fewer than 250 staff members.
NPPC Urges Lawmakers to Oppose Farm Takeover Bill
Earlier this week Congress introduced legislation that would prescribe cage sizes for egg-laying hens - codifying an agreement the egg industry and Humane Society of the United States reached.
National Pork Producers Council President Doug Wolf says NPPC is against the legislation - - because it could expose other producers to special interest groups attempting similar federal laws:
“We don’t feel that there should be any federal legislation involving animal care. We feel that it should be a producers choice to pick what system works best for them.”
NPPC believes efforts should be focused on food safety instead so producers can take care of their animals the best way they see fit.
Beef Prices to Remain High
If you enjoy a nice piece of beef from time to time, then you’d better save your pennies because Analysts say chances are slim that shoppers will see beef prices decline this year. USDA Livestock Analyst Shayle Shagum:
“We would expect to see consumer prices going up, we’re having tighter supplies of steers and heifers, which generally go into the so-called table cuts of steaks and roasts.”
USDA projects a 5 percent decrease in beef production for 2012.
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