U.S. pork and poultry production growth an uphill battle

Persistent health challenges, tight labor supplies, volatile feed costs and disruptive regulations continue to plague the U.S. pork and poultry industries, causing short-term productivity challenges and limited industry growth. While efficiency gains will be gradual, the adoption of new technologies will be crucial for future growth, according to Rabobank's latest report, "Necessity Is the Mother of Invention: Escalating Costs Accelerate Animal Protein Innovation." "We expect the rapid pace of operational and market change to accelerate the industry’s adoption of new technologies in order to remain competitive," notes Christine McCracken, Rabobank senior analyst for animal protein and author of the report. "This transition is likely to financially stress an industry already facing difficult operating conditions and a shrinking skilled labor pool. The alternative, however, is to risk being left behind." After a decade of significant growth — with the U.S. broiler industry producing ...