Greg RennierGreg Rennier, Ph.D., is president of Rennier Associates Inc. To contact Rennier, email [email protected].From the Author - Page 5Poultry FeedGrain prices top poultry issue for 2011/12, says survey groupA WATT-Rennier Poultry Confidence Index survey poll shows that 82% of respondents identified ‘grain prices’ as the top issue for the U.S. poultry industry for the remainder of 2011 and early 2012. The regulatory environment, the general economy and bird health/diseases were essentially tied as the third-most important issue.HomeSmartphone usage at 68% in poultry industry survey groupThe U.S. poultry industry has not only adopted smartphones for email, texting and web surfing but also is heavily engaged in social media websites, based on a survey of the WATT-Rennier Poultry Confidence Index panel. Sixty-eight percent of PCI respondents use a smartphone, with Blackberry usage at 30% leading other smartphones.HomePoultry industry confidence stabilizes on news of supply cutsThe WATT PoultryUSA/Rennier Associates Poultry Confidence Index remained steady in the third quarter of 2011. The Overall Index now stands at 79.0 (1996 = 100), down slightly from 84.4 the previous quarter. The Present Situation Index dropped back to 74.2 from 91.1 (a one-quarter blip?). Finally, the Expectations Index rose slightly to 82.1 from 79.7.HomePoultry industry confidence trends up in second quarterThe Poultry Confidence Index rebounded in the second quarter of 2011 to post across-the-board gains.Grain prices continued to be the “big” issue in the poultry industry overshadowing other factors like excessive supply and energy costs. Respondents clearly indicated that the price of corn and soybeans was substantially more important to their future business outlook than factors like the general economy, energy costs and industry production levels. Regulatory burdens and exports were distant concerns for most.HomePoultry industry confidence in short supplyThe Poultry Confidence Index (PCI) took another plunge in the first quarter of 2011. For the first time in nearly two years, all the measures were below normative levels. The Overall Index now stands at 65.1 (1996=100), down from 94.5 last quarter. The Present Situation Index declined from 138.3 to 74.5. The Expectations Index also fell – but not as dramatically – from 65.4 to 58.9. The decline in current confidence was one of the largest quarter-to-quarter drops recorded in the 15-year history of the PCI. As predicted last quarter, high grain prices – and the expectation of even higher grain prices in the near term – were the dominant force behind this mood.HomeIt’s the grain prices, stupid!"It's the economy, stupid" was a phrase in American politics widely used during Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against George H. W. Bush. It has since morphed into many variations (e.g., “it’s the deficit, stupid,” “it’s the voters …” etc.) but at its essence has come to symbolize the need to comprehend and communicate the obvious.HomePoultry prices, costs boost industry confidenceThe Overall Confidence Index now stands at 123.4, down slightly from 128.9 in the previous quarter. In short, confidence was high, fueled primarily by higher-than-normal prices, restrained production, lower feed costs and declining fuel prices.HomePoultry industry optimism hits record levelsThere have been many signs since our last report that the Poultry Confidence Index (PCI) was heading for a record-breaking second quarter. And we weren’t disappointed – the PCI rose in a big show of positive industry confidence.HomeIndustry optimism hits highA substantial number in the industry expect to see continued operating efficiencies and better grain and meat markets.HomeGeneral economy key to reboundVolatile economic times have translated into quarter-by-quarter fluctuations in the PCI.HomeOpportunities on the rebound?The PCI’s Present Opportunities Index climbed to 73.3 after barely eclipsing double digits for several quarters.HomePoultry Confidence Index: An emerging recovery?The markets are showing signs of recovery.Previous PagePage 5 of 6Next Page