Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
2025 is still young, but the year-to-date hog harvest is running 7.7% lower than last year. Last week’s estimated harvest of 2.574 million was 97,000 more than the week prior, but 128,000 fewer than the same week last year. Pork production for the week was estimated to be 562.9 million pounds compared to 585.6 million pounds a year ago. The national cash base hog carcass price was $82.15 last week, a gain of 1.7% on the week. Feeder pig prices continue to push higher with 40-pound pigs reaching $107.74/head and early weaners pushing to $81.08. The pork cutout value broke through the $93 level of resistance to average $93.40 last week. Belly primals showed the largest gains.
