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CACHE COUNTY — You may be achin' for some bacon, but if you believe the rumors, soon you might be achin' at the bacon prices. Word from the United Kindgom is that a worldwide bacon shortage could be one year away.
The reason for the possible shortage is the drought-like conditions, leaving less corn, and less of it to feed the pigs. Well, shortage or not, some farmers here in Utah say people might be over reacting. For pork producers like Mike Falslev, the farm is his life and the swine feed his family. It's also a job that he loves.
"When you're stubborn, and bull-headed as I am, it's hard to work for somebody else," Falsev said.
That's why the thought of a possible worldwide bacon shortage, can raise some big concerns. While he's not convinced of speculation that supplies will drop one year from now, he's still not thrilled with the thought of bearing through another down cycle.
The National Pig Association in the UK was the first to say that shortages in corn due to drought could hurt the bacon business worldwide. But producers in Utah are moving forward optimistically. Right now supplies are up, prices are down and many farmers in Utah supplement feeding with their own crops.
- America: Bacon
Canada: Bacon United Kingdon: Streaky bacon, American style
- America: Canadian Bacon
Canada: Back bacon
United Kingdom: Bacon
Some Utah pork producers said that American farmers will rise to the occasion and we will get our bacon, though how much of a shortage we have here will depend on how much we end up having to export.
"I'd say they're gonna get their bacon," said Haven Hendricks, the executive director of the Utah Pork Producers. "I think we've got two percent more pigs than we had two years ago."
Falslev remains hopeful too. Higher corn prices would only make his job tougher, where profit margins are already low.
"The bacon doesn't come from the store it comes from that pig right there," Falsev said.
If nothing else, he hopes all this worry will help remind people of all the hard work that goes into bringing your bacon home.
