A Smaller Hog Herd Still Leaves a Tight Margin for Producers

My takeaway from the latest report and economic outlook is that a smaller herd does not automatically mean an easier road for producers. There is still pressure on the margin between what it costs to raise a pig and what that pig brings at market. That deserves our attention as we look toward next year.USDA estimates the September hog inventory at 74.3 million head, down 2% from a year ago. The breeding herd is also smaller. At the same time, producers continue to improve productivity: pigs save