It's Not That Simple!

Send us Fan Mail Did the pork industry become so good at raising pigs that it forgot about selling pork? Dr. Glynn Tonsor, agricultural economist at Kansas State University, joins Jim on the Patio to explore that question and a much bigger one: What do we really understand about the people buying our meat? Both grew up raising pigs, and both earned Ph.D.s from Kansas State. But their professional experiences have given them different perspectives on an industry that has changed enormously. The conversation moves from the 1998 hog market collapse to beef's remarkable demand growth, the unexpected relationship between beef and pork prices, and what Glynn has learned through K-State's Meat Demand Monitor. They also explore why consumers don't always buy the cheaper alternative, what GLP-1 medications could mean for meat demand, and why economic models don't always capture the complexities of agricultural production. Along the way, Glynn challenges some of Jim's assumptions about pork quality and consumer demand. It's a conversation about livestock, economics, and understanding the people we're producing food for. Patio Pondering — Clear Thinking for Complex Agriculture. Be Safe Out There.