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.
Pork
The pork sector considers its struggle to find firm footing. Cash prices were over $2 lower last week. Hog supply is getting larger but is still less than year-ago levels. Last week’s estimated harvest was 2.588 million head, 11,000 more than the previous week and 17,000 fewer than last year. Heavier hogs are weighing on the market, with live weights running five pounds heavier than this time last year. Without a monthly agricultural export report published this month and the lack of weekly data during the federal government shutdown, it is impossible to know how much pork is leaving the U.S. The information, when released, could bring a price correction to the market. Feeder pigs were higher last week with 40-pound pigs averaging $80.27/head and early weaners averaging $64.68.
