Managing for Profit

More hogs than analysts expected

The quarterly hogs and pigs report indicates at least some herd expansion.

Because of those higher than expected numbers, University of Missouri Ag Economist Ron Plain calls the report bearish, but he says it also leaves some questions.  Specifically, Plain agrees with report conclusions that point to the U.S. hog herd being in the midst of growth.  He tells Brownfield Ag News market reporter John Perkins that data from the report, along with anticipation of not as much disease devastation, suggest that expansion will continue.

And with the hog market being higher than it’s ever been, Plain sees these greater numbers of hogs and pigs taking prices down.

In Ron Plain’s view, this report is going to put downward pressure on the market, but he seems to think it’s far from clear-cut.