Canada’s hog herd is expanding, though not at the same pace as the U.S. herd. Canada’s growth means more feeder pigs will be coming into the United States.

Volatility anyone? We, as a production community, should not get complacent with these favorable revenue opportunities as the market has proven in just a few short months that the Board giveth and the Board taketh away.

The number of hogs negotiated on the open market fell to 2.4% last year and has averaged even less than that this year. The last thing the pork industry needs is negotiated sales not to get reported to or published by the USDA.

Corn, soybean, wheat June 1 stocks increase.

USDA Quarterly Hogs & Pigs report shows an expanding U.S. swine herd but at what pace will the industry grow.

One of the bright spots on the demand side of the ledger in the hog market has been rising pork exports. April pork exports were up 7.6% from last year.

With more slaughter capacity coming online, look for higher hog prices and heavier slaughter weights this fall compared to last.

New packing plants will be coming online by the end of the year and hopefully this will generate more competition for hogs.

With all the uncertainty, it is at least comforting to recognize that the input side of our business — corn and soybeans — is relatively stable at attractive prices to the livestock industry.