Purdue News

December 11, 1998 Videoconference covers coping with the pork crisis WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Because of low pork prices, Indiana hog producers are bringing home a lot less bacon -- about $315 million less than last year. Farmers looking for ways to cope can tune in to "Crisis in the Pork Industry," a satellite videoconference offered by Purdue University Cooperative Extension specialists Thursday, Dec. 17. The videoconference will be shown at select Purdue Cooperative Extension Service offices in counties across the state from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EST). Producers can call their county Extension office or (888) EXT-INFO to find out which counties will carry the program. Pork producers with large home satellite dishes can tune into the broadcast on C-Band (Telstar 5, transponder 24/channel 24) and on KU-Band (SBS6, transponder 15). The program includes a review of the financial situation, a session on survival tactics, information on working with lenders, and a look at what's coming in 1999. Presenters also will talk about coping with stress and keeping perspective. "Financial conditions for producers are the poorest since the Great Depression of the 1930s," Purdue agricultural economist Chris Hurt said. Farmers are selling their hogs at prices ranging from $10 to $14 per hundredweight, while their production costs are near $36. "In times of crisis people get upset and don't look for help," said Dave Petritz, assistant director for agriculture and natural resources in the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. "It's Extension's job to help them back away from current problems and mentally find a quiet spot -- to sit down at the kitchen table and figure out what they're going to do for the long-term." Producers looking for additional information on farm planning can stop by the Extension office in their county for a copy of "Charting the Course for the Family Farm." This series of one- and two-page leaflets describes strategies producers can use to cope with a host of current farm problems. For more information on the satellite conference and the pork situation, check out the Purdue Pork Page on the World Wide Web. For more information on home satellite reception, call (765) 494-6267. Source: Dave Petritz, (765) 494-8494; e-mail, petritz@ces.purdue.edu Writer: Rebecca J. Goetz, (765) 494-0461; e-mail, rjg@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page