Obama Mandate & Increased Meat Prices
Obama Mandate & Increased Meat Prices plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.
On Monday the White House is issuing new national greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. President Obama's announcement will save billions of barrels of oil but is expected to cost consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle by the time the plan is complete in 2016. The announcement will eliminate the feud between automakers and individual states like
Total meat production and price forecasts for 2010 show a slight increase in production over this year, and improved price forecasts as well according to World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Gerry Bange.
BANGE: Given the fact that we are seeing a somewhat reduced production of both beef and pork, we’re seeing stronger prices for both of them in 2010. We’re looking at a steer price of 90 ¼ per hundred weight, that’s up 4.3% from the 2009 forecast. We’re looking at a hog price right at an even $50 per hundred weight which is up nearly 10%. The reason we’re looking for a stronger price on broilers is because we have prospect for some improved demand as we go to 2010
Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.
Have you heard the one about how you can’t fight city hall? How about, the wheels of progress turn ever so slowly? Both apply when it comes to farmers who face antiquated regulations when it comes to bio-fuel generated electricity. Sustainable farming is the future and a large portion of that sustainability is in using farm waste renewables. The technology required to make farms run solely on a renewable energy source while also feeding back into the local power grid is available, but most current state energy rules have not kept up with that technology. Most public utilities’ rulings recognize only four renewables, solar, wind, hydrogen and dairy gas. The ever growing field of bio-fuels is simply overlooked. Those farmers who have tried to tackle the enormity of reshaping state rules have run into regulatory red tape and are looking at thousands of dollars and man hours spent in the process. Something this beneficial should not be so difficult to implement. Why is it so many times legislators seems to be hell bent on cutting their noses off to spite their constituents faces.
Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
