packing plant

The stories of the late Union Stockyards, lovingly known by many as the Omaha Stockyards, are a cultural icon and marker of years gone by. In this episode, regional historian Ryan Roenfeld gives us the *beef* on the rise and fall of the Omaha Stockyards. We discuss the factors and influences that led to the stockyards’ development and rapid boom. Then, we dissect the demise of the yards and some of the economic and cultural impacts of the stockyards that remain today. As a special bonus, Ryan also shares his insight on some other Omaha historical icons, including the Old Market historical district. Even if you’ll never be caught dead saying “Go Big Red,” this episode will have you feeling like an honorary Husker!

Ryan Roenfeld is a 6th-generation resident of southwest Iowa and the author or co-author of numerous local historical works concerning the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. He has also had short fiction published by Thirteenth Floor Magazine of Omaha, Nebraska and Text-Lit Mag of Nanaimo, British Columbia, several nonfiction articles in Omaha magazine, as well as poetry by Off-Beat Pulp of Kansas City, gloomcupboard.com, and the University of Iowa's Daily Palette. Mr. Roenfeld also published extensive music reviews in the Iowa City Icon newspaper as well as the West Coast and Northeast editions of Performer Magazine.

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Check out Ryan’s work at https://www.amazon.com/Ryan-Roenfeld/e/B003RGU1DA.

The COVID quarter, one of the worst quarters in global history, ends today and initial ideas are that second quarter GDP is estimated to have fallen by 32.9%, according to Provimi market analyst Dave Bauer. The U.S. also had the largest one-day sale of corn ever this past week to China at 1.9 metric tons, or approximately 76 million bushel. Pork exports sales this week were just under 40,000 metric tons, up 24% over last week and up 12% versus the four-week average. Of course, China led those purchases with 45% of the total, followed by Mexico, taking 40%. For the first time in a few weeks, actual shipments did slow down 12% versus last week and 3% below the prior four-week average, but still a strong number of 31,500 metric tons.

On the topic of slaughter plants, it was a tough start to the week. Mechanical and labor issues reduce the estimated kill by 22,000 head on Monday. But the rest of this week found its stride and the estimate for a 2.5 plus million head kill is again expected. Kill floors are maintaining a weekly run of roughly 93% of capacity, but now processing floors need to get out of the mid to upper 80% range and up to match the kill floor run rates. The challenge to get employees back to work are real and plants are doing all they can to create safe work environments. 

And what's the word on forward profitability? Take a listen.

These are uncertain times and it will pay dividends to be well-prepared. If you have questions on this week’s recap or want to discuss something not covered, feel free to ASK DAVE at David_Bauer@cargill.com. Plan today for tomorrow’s success.

Follow Feedstuffs Precision Pork on your favorite podcast platform or find it on www.Feedstuffs.com and www.NationalHogFarmer.com

These are difficult times for plant operators as they try their best to guess what numbers they might hit for a day. They are often finding themselves starting their day not knowing what kill numbers will look like and, for that matter, if enough workers will even show up to run their line, says Provimi market analyst Dave Bauer.

The run rates for this past week, and through this past Monday, started off down 9% from the previous Monday. Tuesday was up 7%, Wednesday up slightly over a 17% and Thursday was up 12.5%. With some other capacity estimated to come online Friday and Saturday, Bauer estimates this week’s kill would be a 15% increase over last week and a large step in the right direction for pork exports.

In this episode, we also take a look at this week’s double whammy for pork weekly exports. Weekly net exports of 47,500 metric tons fell 6% below that of last week and 1% below the four-week average. China's 40,200 metric tons was 85% of that total. What about the cutout? Bauer explains that as well. 

Estimated returns for today's market hogs based on returns to the CMI index sit around a $10 to $15 per head loss if producers can get them killed. Average profitability over the next 12 months has now risen to a loss of $10 per head, which is a great improvement from the monthly per head losses of $35 per head seen just a few weeks ago. 

These are uncertain times and it will pay dividends to be well-prepared. If you have questions on this week's recap or want to discuss something not covered, feel free to ASK DAVE at David_Bauer@cargill.com. Thanks for listening and make sure you plan today for tomorrow’s success.

Follow Feedstuffs Precision Pork on your favorite podcast platform or find it on www.Feedstuffs.com and www.NationalHogFarmer.com.