The national media have predicted a severe pork shortage due to rising corn prices -- but this is only part of what will happen, writes foodservice industry expert Ed Zimmerman. In the short-term, Zimmerman explains, the higher cost of raising animals for slaughter will make meat producers more reluctant to buy them, driving down prices. In the mid-term, fewer animals in the market will drive prices back up, causing an actual "bacon shortage," and in the long-term (12-18 months) farmers will raise more meat livestock, evening out prices.