Here at the Illinois Farm Bureau, we’re blessed with smart employees. Lots of them.
In fact, they’re more than just smart — they’re experts in their fields.
Mike Doherty is one such expert. A senior economist here at the Illinois Farm Bureau, Doherty has been busy analyzing the changes — and now challenges — in European egg production.
Doherty says egg prices in Europe are now 67 percent higher than they were a year ago. Production is down an estimated 15 percent. And, European restaurant owners and families are driving into neighboring countries to buy their eggs.
How did this happen, you might ask? Doherty says the rising egg prices and short supply were triggered by a government mandate on how chickens are raised. What’s more, Congress is being asked to pass similar legislation here.
The possibility worries Doherty — and livestock producers here in the U.S., not only because of the potential for increased prices in a down economy, but also because of the precedent that would be set by the government – dictating to producers how their animals should be raised.
So, Doherty put his brainpower to good use (not that it isn’t always put to good use!) and penned a column for the Chicago Tribune, which they ran Sunday July 1 in their Outside Opinion Section!
Like I said – Illinois Farm Bureau experts are more than just smart. They’re, well, experts! Great job, Mike!
