Paul AhoPaul Aho, Ph.D., is owner of Poultry Perspective and economist and consultant. To contact Aho, email [email protected].From the Author - Page 3Poultry FeedCorn supply scenarios for 2011-12 show no cushion for droughtCorn supply scenarios for 2011-12 are sobering, and there’s no cushion for drought, with little to no corn available above pipeline levels – the amount of corn needed to keep the marketing chain of corn working. If a drought like that of 1988 were to happen in this crop year, corn yield would drop to 125 bushels.HomeTale of two companies: Townsends and DouxDebt and high corn prices are taking their toll on companies like Townsends Inc. and Doux S.A. Corn prices are likely to average $5.85 per bushel in Chicago for crop year 2010-2011. High and rising grain prices are taking a toll on the world’s chicken industry. Two examples are Townsends in the U.S. and Doux in France. High grain prices contributed to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Townsends Inc. in the U.S. last year and to continuing economic distress at Doux of France this year.HomeThe grain crisis of 2011The grain crisis of 2011 appears likely to eclipse the severity of the 2008 event, but in a different way. In 2008, prices spiked to punishingly high levels that led to a short lived panic followed by plummeting grain prices.HomeThe real problem with energyBy 2030, the world may have to spend $10 trillion in 2010 dollars on energy, and this is a challenge for all industry including poultry. Over the last decade, as the cost of oil soared from $10 a barrel to nearly $100 a barrel, many people began to wonder if the world was running out of oil. The world is not running out of oil anytime soon, but there is another problem with oil. Since new sources are significantly more expensive than old sources, there is a diminishing return of energy to the energy invested to discover and develop oil.HomeSave the planet, eat more poultry!Poultry is the most sustainable meat and is positioned to become even more sustainable in the future.HomeVolatile grain pricesIs bad weather the only cause?Poultry FeedIs there a return to 1950 corn prices ahead?The surprise USDA crop report this October and the resulting spike in corn prices highlights an important challenge to animal agriculture, the rising cost of grain. During the 20th century animal agriculture had the wind at its back as the real cost of grain dropped.Home12 countries with poultry export potentialBrazil and the U.S. dominate the export of chicken meat at the moment and are likely to continue to dominate far into the future. Nevertheless, there are other countries with the potential to develop a robust export business.Processing & SlaughterShould Russia import and export poultry?From comments made over the years, it is apparent that many Russians have a strong preference for self-sufficiency in poultry production. Should Russia strive to be self-sufficient?HomeHow US poultry exports will hit 5 million metric tonsToday, U.S. poultry exports are at 3 million metric tons, but I predict the level of exports will grow to 5 million metric tons by 2035.HomeVolcanoes and the price of grainEyjafjallajokull! The eruption this year of an unpronounceable volcano in Iceland was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanoes and the effect they can have on the world economy.HomeThe importance of Russia and ChinaA loss of Russia and China as export markets would have an effect on the U.S. chicken industry similar to that of the 2009 recession.Previous PagePage 3 of 5Next Page