If you want a pork industry outlook, the answer is largely going to be determined by who you ask.

Today's unemployment numbers are historically low, and companies across the country in every sector of the meat industry are facing employee shortages.

The one thing certain in commodity markets is ambiguity. Ag Resource Company president Dan Basse, however, provided a bit of clarity and foresight at the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand's Feeding Quality Forum recently in Sioux City, Iowa.

Growth in the global and domestic beef cattle herd also means supply is on the upswing and the beef industry is gaining momentum through cattle prices.

In looking at the last 12 months of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recall data, we noticed some definite trends.

Continuing to overcome a number of difficult challenges during the past few years has resulted in positive production increases for the chicken industry.

Packaging trends continue to be driven by consumers. Functional features sell products.

As more consumers and retailers look for protein portions that conform to their health and merchandising needs, processors face the task of efficiently creating exact size products from animals that are becoming bigger and more unwieldy.

The bacon category, including refrigerated bacon and non-branded random weight bacon, recorded its highest dollar sales in five years for the 52 weeks ending July 15, according to Chicago-based IRI data of total U.S. multi-outlets.

One good turn deserves another, as small independents can work together for mutual success.