High US Hog Slaughter Numbers Pressuring Prices.

Resource News International, February, 2006

Byline: Phil Franz-Warkentin, Resource News International

Winnipeg, MB, Feb 10, 2006 (Resource News International via COMTEX) -- Larger than normal US slaughter numbers together with a mild winter have kept the North American hog markets under pressure over the past month, said analysts.

Normally hog prices move higher going through January and February, as slaughter numbers traditionally decline, said Ron Plain, an agricultural economist at the University of Missouri. However, the US slaughter numbers have been about 1.8% above expectations so far in 2006, while slaughter weights have also been averaging about 1% above the year ago levels. As a result, there is just that much more pork weighing on the market, said Plain.

He tied the increase...

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