District 10 crop, weather report shows poor rangeland, pasture conditions
District 10 crop, weather report shows poor rangeland, pasture conditions
Lower pork production going into the holiday season compared to last year won’t restrict the availability of all cuts, but prices could rise.
Retail hams, at $4.60 per pound in September, were 3 cents per pound higher than last September. Yet it was the lowest retail price since June.
As the holidays approach, ham demand and associated wholesale prices are increasing, said Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension agricultural economist at Bryan-College Station.
Wholesale 23-27-pound trimmed hams have hit $0.95 per pound, their highest price in several months.
“The lower production is likely because several months of financial losses are beginning to take their toll on pork production,” Anderson said. “While production efficiency — more pigs per litter — have offset fewer sows, it looks as though fewer sows farrowing is starting to show up in a reduced amount of hog slaughter and overall production.”
Ham’s popularity second only to turkey
The National Pork Board estimates approximately 318 million pounds of ham will be consumed on Christmas.
Ham is the most popular holiday dinner protein after turkey, said Davey Griffin, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension meat specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station.
“Although available yearround, 70% of ham sales are recorded in the current 13-week holiday season,” Griffin said. “To provide and accommodate holiday ham sales, retailers ‘book’ holiday hams months in advance to take advantage of lower pricing that allows many to include hams in their holiday features.”
When it comes to buying a holiday ham, Griffin said the choices have certainly increased over time, with consumers opting for both traditional and new ham types and flavors.
“Bone-in hams — whole, butt and shank halves — still lead consumer choices,” he said. “But spiral sliced and boneless whole, half and quarter hams are available to consumers not wanting the volume, lacking slicing skills or trying to avoid the added time involved with cooking bonein counterparts.”
Griffin said that according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture data, there should be no problem finding holiday ham or other pork selections for purchase.
Those marketing and selling hams have also developed additional flavors to satisfy consumers’ growing interests, Griffin said. In addition to traditional hickory-smoked and brown sugar- flavored hams, consumers may now find options such as honey, black forest, maple, applewood, salted caramel or even pineapple-flavored hams or glazes.
Crop report
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following crop and weather summary for the Southwest District 10: Rainfall for the week ranged from 0.15 to 5 inches, with higher totals mostly in northern areas. This moisture benefited planted fields of wheat and oats intended for cool season grazing, though much of the district remained in a moisture deficit. The average precipitation was around 2 inches. Winter pastures were being planted with hopes of additional rain, but dry conditions persisted, keeping rangeland and pasture conditions poor. Grass in most areas was all but dried out, increasing the fire danger. Livestock markets showed a slight elevation and supplemental feeding was evident. Deer harvested were mostly in fair to good condition, often under supplementation as well. Whitetail deer were currently in rut and very active. More precipitation was in the forecast.