One Surprise After Another: Economists Offer Perspective on Pork Industry

Proposition 12. Sideways breeding inventory. Astronomical input costs. Declining consumer demand. The issues affecting the pork outlook go on and on. Farm Journal’s PORK asked five economists to share their perspectives on what’s ahead for the second half of yet another interesting year. They include: Scott Brown, economist at University of Missouri; Brian Earnest, lead protein industry analyst at CoBank; Christine McCracken, executive director, protein analyst at Rabobank; Altin Kalo, head economist at Steiner Consulting Group; and Lee Schulz, economist at Iowa State University.

The year 2015 was just before a national election – which have major influences on policy paths, administration goals, and how farmers feel about their future.