Weekly Reports

Hog Outlook: Slaughtered sows climb 8%

07/08/2011 3:00:18 PM

Based on preliminary data it looks like the number of sows slaughtered in the U.S. was up nearly 8% during June compared to 12 months earlier. The number of Canadian sows imported for slaughter during June was down 8%, so slaughter of U.S. sows was up roughly 11%. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Pork prices dip

07/01/2011 2:49:47 PM

Hog prices went downhill this week. Carcass prices exceeded a dollar per pound early in the week. The national average negotiated carcass price for direct delivered hogs on the morning report today was $94.81/cwt, down $5.96 from last Friday. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Record feed bills force production cuts

06/03/2011 3:22:14 PM

The U.S. economy continues to perform poorly. Non-farm payrolls increased by only 54,000 jobs during May, the smallest increase in eight months. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Pork cutout values plunge

05/27/2011 3:12:31 PM

Both pork cutout and cash hog prices reached record highs last week, then took big drops this week. The pork cutout value took a sharp drop this week. USDA's Thursday afternoon calculated pork cutout value was $89.75/cwt, down $6.86 from the previous Thursday. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: March pork exports set record high

05/13/2011 3:33:33 PM

Pork exports during March totaled 490.662 million pounds, up 32.5% compared to a year earlier and the largest monthly total ever. Pork imports during March totaled 76.826 million pounds, up 9.3% from 12 months earlier. During March, 23.9% of U.S. pork production was exported while pork imports equaled 3.7% of production. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: April's average production cost sets record high

05/06/2011 2:46:08 PM

Iowa State University calculations put the average production cost for Iowa barrows and gilts marketed in April at $64.37/cwt (live). April’s cost was record high for the third consecutive month. ISU estimates the April profit at $13.82/head marketed. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Pork trade continues positive trend

04/15/2011 2:37:35 PM

Pork trade continues to be a positive for hog prices. Pork exports during February were 7.2% higher than 12 months earlier and pork imports were 7.2% lower. The big growth markets for pork exports were South Korea, China, Russia and Japan. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Breeding herd, market numbers climb

03/25/2011 3:25:12 PM

The results of USDA's March hogs and pigs survey were released this afternoon. It said the breeding herd was up 0.5% at the first of March and market hog numbers were up 0.6%. Spring farrowings are predicted to be down 2.6% and summer farrowings also are forecast to be 2.6% lower than last year. More comments next week. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Pork production to remain low

03/04/2011 2:44:19 PM

Each year at their outlook forum, USDA takes a long term look at U.S. agriculture. Last month they forecast this year's commercial pork production at 22.56 billion pounds. That is slightly more than last year, but less than in 2009. USDA expects pork production in both 2012 and 2013 to be lower than this year. They predicted U.S. pork production would remain below the 2008 record of 23.347 billion pounds through 2015. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Canadian market hog inventory stable

02/21/2011 11:21:49 AM

Statistics Canada says the Canadian sow herd was down 1.1% on the first day of 2011, but their market hog inventory was up 0.9%. They forecast first quarter farrowings in Canada would be down 1.4%, but the number of litters farrowed during the second quarter of 2011 would be up 0.7% compared to a year earlier. ... Full story.

Hog outlook: 2011 hog price forecast raised

02/11/2011 2:49:43 PM

This week USDA raised their forecast of 2011 red meat and poultry production by 0.4%. They also increased their price forecast for 2011 hogs by $3.50/cwt of live weight and raised their forecast for fed cattle by $3.00/cwt. USDA lowered their forecast of corn ending stock by 70 million bushels. ... Full story.

Hog Outlook: Snow impacts hog market, futures end higher

02/04/2011 3:22:19 PM

Prior to this week, the record close for any lean hog futures contract was $100.20/cwt for the June 2009 on July 3, 2008. This week the June 2011 contact close at $100 or higher every day including a record close of $100.95/cwt on Monday. ... Full story.

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