In the past few months I’ve been asked repeatedly to comment further on my prediction that barrow and gilt slaughter weights will increase to 290 pounds live weight by the year 2022. This prediction is based on a review of USDA federally inspected barrow and gilt carcass weight increases. In the 24 year period from 1988 through 2011, carcass weight has increased an average of 1.4 lb/year. The corresponding correlation coefficient for this rate of increase is 0.98, meaning there has been very little variation year to year in this annual increase. Read More...

Last week I attended EuroTier in Hannover, Germany. This multi-species trade show hosts almost 160,000 visitors on alternate years. There were 2 exhibit halls dedicated to swine, with additional halls hosting feed ingredients, etc. plus a large number of exhibit halls for dairy, poultry and aquaculture. Read More...

This afternoon I fly to Hannover, Germany. Eurotier, the world’s largest livestock trade show, is held there on alternate years. Early attendance estimates are 160,000 for the 3 day show next week.  Read More...

Optimism is returning to the hog market. For the week ending September 28, 2012 the average spot market price as quoted by USDA for weaned pigs was $15.14 per pig delivered. This week’s average price was $43.76 per pig delivered. In 5 weeks the spot market value of weaned pigs increased $28.62 per pig. The lowest reported price paid per pig went from $9 per pig to $27 per pig. Read More...