**New USDA data shows the minimum hourly agricultural wage rates are highest in the Pacific Northwest.

According to agrimarketing.com, for fiscal 2019, the minimum hourly wage in Washington and Oregon was $15.03.

Hawaii was next at $14.73, but the wage rate was also high in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas at $14.38.

Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina had the lowest minimum wages at $11.13.

**China’s second largest pig farmer, Muyuan Foods, has reported that full-year profits for 2019 jumped more than 1,000% to nearly $870 million due to record hog prices caused by a drop in supply from the devastating African swine fever.

According to agweb.com, the company sold more than 10 million pigs last year, benefiting from a 140% increase in hog prices.

Reports indicated China’s hog herd shrunk 41% by the third quarter, but many experts believe it may be more.

**Indoor Ag-Con, an indoor agriculture conference and trade show, has announced a marketing partnership with the Produce Marketing Association.

Set for May 18-20 in Las Vegas, thepacker.com reports the 8th annual Indoor Ag-Con conference has more than 50 presenters with backgrounds in business, science and technology, alternative crops, and greenhouse precision agriculture.

The alliance between Indoor Ag-Con and PMA gives PMA members access to the education sessions and exhibit hall for a 20% discount.

 

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