1. Describe the factors contributing to skyrocketing pork prices for 2013.

2. How are these same factors lowering the price of pork in the short term?

3. By approximately what percent will the price of pork increase per pound next year?

4. How long does it take to fatten a pig for slaughter?

5. What other types of farmers are affected by the doubling of corn prices?

6. Read the "Background" below the questions. Should President Obama and Congress eliminate, or at least put a hold on the ethanol mandate in an effort to keep food prices from rising even more than they have done in the past year or so? Explain your answer.