AgLetter: April 1998

Large gains in pork production since last fall are weighing heavy on hog prices and causing losses among most hog farmers. And based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent Hogs and Pigs report, that trend is likely to continue into next year. The report noted that the number of hogs and pigs on U.S. farms as of March 1 was up nearly 8 percent from a year earlier. On a somewhat more positive note for producers, however, the report suggested that the rate of expansion is slowing. Reflecting this, the inventory of hogs held for breeding purposes was reported to be up only 2 percent.