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Input costs trigger concerns from both grain and livestock farmers

An Illinois farmer says input costs are just as much of a concern on the livestock side of his operation as they are on the grain side.

Thomas Titus raises corn, soybeans, and pigs in Elkhart, Illinois. He tells Brownfield the good news for grain farmers is high commodity prices are helping ease high fertilizer costs, but those high grain prices are both a blessing and a curse on his operation.

“$6.50 corn and $16 soybeans. It’s fun on one side of our operation, but at the same time when we have to feed most of those inputs, it makes a whole different ball of challenges.”

But by the same token, he says revenue on the pork side has also been able to alleviate higher feed costs, so far.

“Right now, exports are extremely strong, while valuation and demand is incredible.”

He says supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, African Swine Fever movement and inflation are other items he is watching closely for potential impacts to his farm this year.

Brownfield interviewed Titus at the 2022 Illinois Pork Expo where he was elected President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association for the coming year.