Signals

Signals: May 2012

Each year there are more Americans to feed and more pork exported but not more sows. The number of sows farrowed has declined each year since 2007. ... Full story.

Signals: April 2012

U.S. pork exports continue to rise, with January exceeding half a billion pounds, carcass-weight equivalent, for only the second month in history. Also, for the third time ever, we exported more than 25 percent of a month’s total pork production. ... Full story.

Signals: March 2012

Hog prices were record high in 2011. The average live-weight price for 51percent/52 percent lean hogs was $66.11 per hundredweight, up 20.1 percent from 2010, 60.3 percent higher than in 2009 and 12.5 percent above the 1982 record. ... Full story.

Signals: February 2012

Each month for nearly 50 years, Iowa State University economists have estimated the cost of raising hogs. Corn prices do a good job of approximating production costs. ... Full story.

Signals: January 2012

Pork producers know well that feed prices have skyrocketed in recent years. USDA has forecast the average price for the 2011 corn crop at a record $6.40 per bushel, up $1.22 from 2010’s record. ... Full story.

Signals: November 2011

Sow herd productivity continues to improve as producers work toward 30 pigs per sow per year. For the first time, the nation averaged 10 pigs weaned per litter in second quarter 2011, and then repeated it the next quarter. ... Full story.

Signals: October 2011

Summer hog prices were record high because of record meat prices. Retail pork averaged $3.512 per pound in August, up 4.6 cents from July and 28 cents from a year earlier. In fact, prices were up 2.8 cents from the previous record set just three months ago. ... Full story.

Signals: September 2011

U.S. per capita pork production this year is expected to be the lowest since 1976. So, it’s not surprising that this summer set record-high hog prices. Both the pork cutout value and carcass hog prices exceeded $1 per pound for the first time ever. ... Full story.

Signals: August 2011

USDA’s latest swine inventory survey indicates that barrow and gilt slaughter for the second half of 2011 will run close to last year’s levels, except for about six weeks in July and early August. That period is expected to be 3.3 percent higher. ... Full story.

Signals: June 2011

On a weekly basis, pork production is lowest during the six holiday weeks of New Year’s, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, when packers operate only four days. Pork production tends to decline from January to Independence Day, and picks up through year end. After Labor Day, many packers operate six days a week. ... Full story.

Signals: May 2011

U.S. meat exports have been trending higher in recent months. Growing exports mean less meat on the U.S. market and higher livestock and poultry prices. An expanding world economy enables more people to be meat eaters. The dollar’s declining value makes buying U.S. meat increasingly attractive. ... Full story.

Signals: April 2011

Last month’s disaster in Japan caused by the earthquake and tsunami has created problems for the U.S. livestock industry. ... Full story.